Mesopotamia Geography

A. One significant physical geographic factor that contributed to the development of Mesopotamia was the location of, and access to, the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, as well as their tributaries. Located in a region known as the “Fertile Crescent”, Mesopotamia was able to utilize these rivers for transportation and irrigation of crops. As a result of flooding by the Euphrates, large silt deposits provided rich soil and promoted the cultivation of emmer, barley, beans, olives, grapes and flax. In turn, these harvested crops provided not just food for the farmers but also served as a trade medium with nomadic tribes in the area. Because of the availability of water and rich soils, the area was attractive to settlement and communities developed.
The clay soil also was an excellent material for the production of bricks which were used to build more permanent structures. In order to divert the waters, irrigation canals were dug and dams were built. The need for cooperation between individuals in order to complete some of the larger irrigation and flood control projects led to the growth of government and the establishment of laws. None of this would have been possible without the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
B. The diffusion of the chariot between societies came about primarily due to its primary designed purpose. The original purpose of the chariot was as a moving platform to insert and extract soldiers (primarily archers and javelin throwers) onto the battlefield. Horses are believed to have originated on the Eurasian steppes and had no practical human use other than as a food source. They were acquired from nomadic tribes by city/states of Mesopotamia and were domesticated solely to pull chariots. Mounted soldiers did not appear until much later in history and the chariot was an advanced

weapon of war long before their adoption. Chariots were not utilized as a general conveyance by members of the public and charioteers were viewed as elite forces and valued far more than the common soldier. As wars became common between the different societies, the chariot was adopted and utilized by the military forces. Over time, chariots became common in Europe, the Middle East, India, and China. They are depicted in many drawings of royalty and were symbols of power.
C.
Two (2) significant environment and/or geographic factors that contributed to the expansion and/or development of the United States are the Mississippi River Valley and the prolonged drought that created what came to be known as the ‘Dust Bowl”. The value of the Mississippi River was recognized early in America’s history by both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson felt so strongly about acquiring the New Orleans port and Louisiana area that he was willing to challenge France’s Napoleon for it if necessary. It’s 2,000 miles of navigable waterway, as well as the additional 3,000 navigable miles provided by its tributaries (including the Ohio River), made it the primary means to move goods and people from the interior of the United States to a port with oceanic accessibility. Acquisition of the property adjoining the river was made through purchase, treaty, or conquest. At times, claims were laid by France, Spain, England, as well as Native American tribes. Steamboats began operation on the river in the early 1820’s and a substantial business was established carrying tourists, settlers, and goods. Early in American history, trappers and hunters shipped substantial numbers of furs and hides for further shipment to England and Europe. In later years, the cotton industry moved tons of raw cotton from Memphis and Vicksburg, as well as New Orleans. Without the
Mississippi

River and its tributaries, only a fraction of these goods, and people, could have been moved overland.

Prior to, and during, World War I farmers in the western plains states were encouraged to grow as much grain as possible.
Much of the rest of the world had large scale shortages and markets were at record levels. States and private land owners advertised widely throughout the United States encouraging individuals to purchase farm land and relocate. Many people did and subsequently borrowed large sums of money to establish and enlarge existing operations. During the 1920’s, the food shortages began to abate and the market prices of wheat and oats declined. Farmers were hard pressed to meet their mortgage and equipment payments and increased their acreage in order to compensate. When the drought started in 1931, many farmers were behind on their mortgages and America was deep in the “Great Depression”. The drought continued into 1937 and large areas of five (5) states, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico, were devastated by high winds that removed the top soil and created large dust hills. Many of the farmers lost all their possessions and property to the lien holders and had to move out of their homes and off their property. These losses caused a widespread migration to what they viewed as a better place and way of life in California. It was a migration that rivaled the wholesale move to California during the gold rush of 1849. Many of the displaced farmers and their families were able to find work harvesting fruits and vegetables and establish a home for
themselves. Later, during World War II, they made up a large percentage of the workers needed in the California defense industry.

This large relocation of established American families would not have occurred except for the “Dust Bowl” created by the drought.

References

(Evans & Michaud, 2013) Evans, J., & Michaud, K. (2013). Themes and Applications in U.S. and World History (4th ed.). Asheville, NC: Soomo Publishing. Retrieved from webtexts.com