how have geographic factors affected the course of history

by Beaulah Wintheiser 9 min read

Historical Context The development of early civilizations was greatly affected by geographic factors. Task Using information from the documents and your knowledge of global history and geography, write an essay in which you discuss how the lives of the peoples of the ancient world were shaped by the geography of their region.

Full Answer

How does geography affect history?

Geography affects every aspect of history as it is responsible for determining the winners of wars, the prosperity of people and the formation of cultures. To quote the Bradley Commission on History in Schools, “…geography is by nature the constant companion of historical studies; it is hardly possible to grasp the one without the other.”

How has geography influenced the history of war?

Geography has been more or less the reason so many invasions and colonization took place. Favorable amount of land, climate, resources and fertility of the land, perhaps, were the prime factors. Wars were won or lost because the geographical features being in favor of one party.

How did geography affect the development of the first civilizations?

The first remnants of the Human Civilization suggest that civilizations flourished around the geographical features necessary for survival, mostly rivers and forests. So, since the beginning humans have looked to find the perfect geographical regions for survival.

What are the geographical factors that affect development?

Geographical factors that affect development. This is part 2 in a series on why some countries remain poor. One of the most important factors in development is geography, where the country is in the world, and climate.

How does geography affect history?

What geographic features have had an equally strong impact on history?

Why are rivers important to history?

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How has geography affected the course of history?

The geographic perspective can enrich the study of history by helping students to grasp the significance of location, the inevitability of change, and the importance of human perceptions at given times in the past.

How did geography influenced the history of humankind?

The geographic perspective helped show where Americans were moving, why they were moving there, and how their new living places affected their lives, their relationships with others, and their interactions with the environment.

Is geography important in history?

Geography puts history in context. It helps us see the why, when, and how of what happened in history. You'll learn history better by learning geography.

How geographical factors affect societies?

Geography influences the development of the people who occupy given areas. Humans respond and adapt to the conditions they encounter, developing patterns of behavior and customs to cope with dry deserts, arctic cold, high mountain ranges or the isolation of an island.

How has geography influenced history? - Quora

Answer (1 of 9): Geography affects every aspect of history as it is responsible for determining the winners of wars, the prosperity of people and the formation of cultures. To quote the Bradley Commission on History in Schools, "...geography is by nature the constant companion of historical studi...

Effects of Geography on History and Culture | Encyclopedia.com

Julius Caesar, Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) was a Roman general and politician who overthrew the Roman Republic and established the rule of the emperors. At th… Carthage, The destruction of Carthage in 146 bce ended the Third Punic War (149–146). It the violent anticlimax to more than a century of conflict between Rome… Cola Di Rienzi, Cola di Rienzi Cola di Rienzi The Roman popular ...

How does geography affect history?

Continue Reading. Geography affects every aspect of history as it is responsible for determining the winners of wars, the prosperity of people and the formation of cultures.

Why are geography and history interrelated?

The fact that we humans have been ever so curious about our past, our evolution and the earth before humans came in, is the reason why geography and history are interrelated. We always wanted to know of our origins, the origins of the earth and the of course the origin of the universe.

What is the board on which history is played?

Profoundly. Geography is the board on which the game of history is played.The more strategic, more fertile, more accessible , more defensible, and more available locations are determined by their geography.The U.S.., for example, is still the leading world power because of its advantageous geography.

What is the study of the physical features of the Earth and its atmosphere?

Geography is the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and the interaction and interrelationship between human beings and physical environment including the distribution of populations and resources and political and economic activities. History is the record of human activities in the bygone days comprising civilizational ...

How does climate affect geography?

The climate aspect of geography also largely influences the history and its characteristics. The combination of weather and land features, in which civilization lives, is especially powerful catalyst of history of a region.

How did the desertification of the Sahara affect Egypt?

The desertification of the Sahara impacted the history of Egypt in several ways. First, it forced many to move into the area along the banks of the Nile.

Which has the largest impact on any nation's history?

Geography probably had the largest impact on any nation’s history. Examples of geography influencing society throughout history are so abundant one could easily write a book, or even a series of books contemplating how geography has shaped history around the world.

DID THE ROMANS VALUE DIVERSITY?

Not only did the provinces enrich Rome with their natural resources: the peoples throughout the Empire also actually influenced Roman culture. In addition to providing military manpower, the provinces also increased the noble class at Rome. Spain gave Rome emperors and philosophers.

Sources

Augustus, Caesaris Avgvsti res gestae et fragmenta, edited by Robert S. Rogers, Kenneth Scott, and Margaret M. Ward (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1990).

Why did Native Americans die on the Trail of Tears?

When they had to move west the Indians followed a path called the 'Trail of Tears'. The harsh land was the reason many of the Native Americans died from the journey, including the fact that they had to begin this difficult trek during the harsh winter. If the land had. been easier to maneuver then perhaps.

Why was slavery important in the South?

The conflict of slavery was a big deal during the Civil War. One of the main reasons slavery was even need in the south was the for the great demand for cotton. The reason cotton was ever even grown there was because of the geographical features of the south.

Why didn't Lincoln want the system spreading?

Lincoln didn’t want that system spreading because he thought it was an evil system. Before 1850, the vast majority of winners of presidential elections won a popular majority in both the North and the South.

What is the major issue in constitutional law?

One of the major issues in constitutional law is federalism —whether we want to be one country or a loose confederation of states—and that has been influenced by geography as well.

Why did the Supreme Court decide to ride circuits between cities?

At the time of this decision, Supreme Court justices had to ride circuit between different cities. Because transportation is so much more difficult in the South, as a way of equalizing the burden the South has more circuits than its population might warrant. The geography is simply more challenging.

Why didn't Lincoln want the Southern economy to spread?

Lincoln didn’t want that system spreading because he thought it was an evil system.

Was Abraham Lincoln sensitive to geography?

It seems that Abraham Lincoln was sensitive to the importance of geography as well. At one point you quote him as saying that the region of land inhabited by the people of the United States is well suited to be the home of one national family, not two or more.

Is political polarization by geography increasing?

It’s surprising to hear that political polarization by geography is increasing to levels not seen since just before the Civil War. It might seem that with the Internet and a shared popular culture, geographical differences would be getting less important.

How does geography affect the development of a society?

Introduction. The geography of a given region or country can greatly influence the cultural development of a society. The location of a region or country greatly impacts on its intercultural influence. Also, the size of a country or region impacts on its demography, as well as social structures development. Its topography largely determines the ...

How does geography affect the world?

Geography can influence the shaping of culture, religion, politics, and the economy of a country or a region. The Current essay endeavored to illustrate how geography has impacted the development of ancient cultures including India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Africa, the Americas, and China.

What was the impact of geography on India's civilization?

The impact of geography on India’s civilization is also quite significant since the first Indian civilization took place on the Indus-River valley. The inhabitants of the Indus-River valley had to contend with such difficult situations as the unpredictable flooding of the river.

What was the geography of ancient India?

The geography of Ancient India was instrumental in the development of the Indian culture, in that it paved way for trade routes with other nations and continents as well. Ancient India was characterized by many plains, rivers, mountains ranges, deserts, plateaus, and cities.

How does the size of a country affect its demography?

Also, the size of a country or region impacts on its demography, as well as social structures development. Its topography largely determines the kind of economic activities that the inhabitants can engage in. In addition, the styles of living and agricultural activities are all affected by climate.

Why did Mesopotamians remain receptive to external influences?

Because the area did not have natural boundaries such as large rivers and mountain ranges , Mesopotamians remained quite receptive to external influences.

Where did people settle in ancient China?

In ancient China, people mainly settled along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers with different settlements falling under the rule of different kings. In particular, the Yangtze stretches over 4,000 miles, and the flood plains surrounding it are very fertile.

Why are some countries poor?

One of the most important factors in development is geography, where the country is in the world, and climate. It’s no coincidence that the poorest countries are in the tropics, where it is hot, the land is less fertile, water is more scarce, where diseases flourish.

Why are rain patterns important?

Rain patterns may give you a short growing season, while others can get two harvests in one year. Some countries are just at a natural disadvantage. Secondly, geographical location plays a part in access to markets. All the great empires have been based around trade routes, and these are almost always maritime.

How does geography affect history?

Geography affects every aspect of history as it is responsible for determining the winners of wars, the prosperity of people and the formation of cultures.

What geographic features have had an equally strong impact on history?

Moreover, other geographic features, such as mountains and plains, have had an equally strong impact on history, like when 300 Spartans used the mountain pass at Thermopylae to hold off thousands of Persian soldiers.

Why are rivers important to history?

Because the events of history take place on the stage of the world, they are inevitably influenced and even determined by geography. Rivers are an easy example of how geography can impact history.

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