Which of the following correctly identifies how river valley societies created social hierarchy that classical societies later extended?
Art and architecture were used to create monumental structures that led to social inequities.
As people continued to move from place to place, those who were better suited to a nomadic lifestyle gained more power.
Laws were created such as Hammurabi’s Code that led to rigid social structures.
As people became sedentary, they created private property and began to accumulate material goods.
As people became sedentary, they created private property and began to accumulate material goods.
The correct answer is: Laws were created such as Hammurabi’s Code that led to rigid social structures.
River valley societies, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China, developed some of the earliest forms of written laws, including Hammurabi’s Code. These laws established rules and regulations that governed various aspects of society, including social interactions, property rights, and economic activities. The enforcement of these laws created a system of social hierarchy where individuals and groups were assigned different roles and responsibilities based on their social status. Classical societies later extended and reinforced this system of social hierarchy in different ways.
The correct answer is: As people became sedentary, they created private property and began to accumulate material goods.
To understand why this answer is correct, we need to understand the development of social hierarchy in river valley societies and its extension into classical societies.
River valley civilizations, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China, emerged around river valleys due to their fertile soils and reliable water sources. As people transitioned from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled agricultural communities, significant changes occurred.
One of the key factors leading to social hierarchy was the shift from a communal property system to private property ownership. As people settled and began to cultivate the land, they realized the importance of owning and controlling resources. This led to the establishment of private property boundaries, and those who owned more land or valuable resources gained wealth, power, and influence.
Accumulating material goods also played a role in the development of social hierarchy. Those who were able to amass wealth in the form of land, livestock, or valuable goods gained higher status in society, while those with limited resources remained in lower social positions.
Over time, these social hierarchies became more complex and rigid. Laws and codes were established to maintain social order and regulate interactions within the society. For instance, Hammurabi's Code in Mesopotamia set forth a system of laws that differentiated punishments based on social status. This further solidified social inequality and entrenched the positions of the ruling elites.
As classical civilizations emerged in different regions, they continued and expanded upon the social systems inherited from the river valley societies. The accumulation of wealth, private property, and laws governing social interactions remained central to the maintenance of social hierarchies. However, it is important to note that art and architecture, nomadic lifestyles, and monumental structures did exist, but they were not the primary factors that directly led to the development and extension of social hierarchy in classical societies.