Mesopotamia Chapter 3 Section 1 Questions

How might running large projects prepare people for running a government?

Both require specialized workers, organization, planning, and rules.

In what ways did a division of labor contribute to the growth of Mesopotamian civilization?

People developed expertise outside of farming; large-scale projects were completed, and laws and government needed to carry out such projects were developed.

What made civilization possible in Mesopotamia?

Tigris and Euphrates flooding left a fertile layer of soil for crops, which provided food for early settlements.

Why did farmers need to develop a system to control their water supply?

When the rivers flooded, crops, livestock, and homes were destroyed. Too little water ruined crops. Farmers needed a stable water supply for farming and raising livestock.

What was the most important factor in making Mesopotamia's farmland fertile?

annual flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates

How did the Fertile Crescent get its name?

from the arc of fertile land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.

Where was Mesopotamia?

in Southwest Asia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

In what general direction do the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow on their way to the Persian Gulf?

southeast

Why did the Mesopotamians create irrigation systems?

to protect against damage from too much or too little water and to ensure a stable supply of water for crops and livestock