Which of the following were necessary conditions and which the causes, of early urbanisation, and which would you say were the outcome of the growth of cities: (a) highly productive agriculture, (b) water transport, (c) the lack of metal and stone, (d) the division of labour, (e) the use of seals, (f) the military power of kings that made labour compulsory?
Following were the necessary conditions for early urbanisation:
1. Highly productive agriculture: It was a necessary condition for early urbanisation. It helped in attaining self-sufficiency. Once the agricultural output was secured, people could concentrate on more productive activities, thereby fostering urbanisation.
2. Preservation of surplus production: Once a village had the source to feed its growing population, people were free to take up other activities such as manufacturing of goods and arts. This led to diversity in the activities being performed, thereby leading to urbanism.
The causes of early urbanisation were:
1. Water transport: Transportation helped in the movement of goods from one place to another. It was done by means of road transport and water transport. Water transport was the cheapest mode, as heavy goods could be transported with less effort and in less time as the current of water propelled the boat. Thus, it saved time and money. Water transport helped to connect different towns and villages, thereby establishing trading networks.
2. Lack of metal and stone: Let’s take the example of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia was rich in food resources; however, it lacked metal and stone resources. This facilitated the trade of goods between Mesopotamia and other countries like Turkey and Iran. These Gulf countries were rich in mineral resources, so they traded mineral goods for agricultural products.
The outcomes of the growth of cities were:
1. Use of seals: Seals were used to secure the network of trade from evil practices like black-marketing, hoarding and adulteration.
2. Division of labour: When works other than agriculture started to be conducted in the thriving towns, people selected jobs according to their skills. To supervise the work of those people, another group of men was needed. Thus, the division of labour evolved to achieve better efficiency.
3. Military power of kings that made labour compulsory: To sustain the trade of goods and services, the kings made labour compulsory. This was done to maintain sufficient resources of labour for the movement of goods from one place to another.
1. Highly productive agriculture: It was a necessary condition for early urbanisation. It helped in attaining self-sufficiency. Once the agricultural output was secured, people could concentrate on more productive activities, thereby fostering urbanisation.
2. Preservation of surplus production: Once a village had the source to feed its growing population, people were free to take up other activities such as manufacturing of goods and arts. This led to diversity in the activities being performed, thereby leading to urbanism.
The causes of early urbanisation were:1. Water transport: Transportation helped in the movement of goods from one place to another. It was done by means of road transport and water transport. Water transport was the cheapest mode, as heavy goods could be transported with less effort and in less time as the current of water propelled the boat. Thus, it saved time and money. Water transport helped to connect different towns and villages, thereby establishing trading networks.
2. Lack of metal and stone: Let’s take the example of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia was rich in food resources; however, it lacked metal and stone resources. This facilitated the trade of goods between Mesopotamia and other countries like Turkey and Iran. These Gulf countries were rich in mineral resources, so they traded mineral goods for agricultural products.
The outcomes of the growth of cities were:1. Use of seals: Seals were used to secure the network of trade from evil practices like black-marketing, hoarding and adulteration.
2. Division of labour: When works other than agriculture started to be conducted in the thriving towns, people selected jobs according to their skills. To supervise the work of those people, another group of men was needed. Thus, the division of labour evolved to achieve better efficiency.
3. Military power of kings that made labour compulsory: To sustain the trade of goods and services, the kings made labour compulsory. This was done to maintain sufficient resources of labour for the movement of goods from one place to another.
