AP World History : Labor Systems and Economic Systems from Prehistory to 600 BCE
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Labor Systems And Economic Systems
In ancient Greek society, slavery was ___________.
outlawed
considered unethical and therefore little practiced
economically unfeasible
integral to the economies of most city-states
practiced only for ritualized, religious purposes
integral to the economies of most city-states
In ancient Greece, many of the city states had populations largely comprised of slaves; slavery was an integral part of these city-states' economies.
Slavery wasn't outlawed by any means.
Although pseudo-religious rituals were an integral part of the institution of slavery, slavery was primarily an economic activity.
Slavery wasn't just economically feasible, the Greek city-states wouldn't have been able to support their upper classes, and their ensuing quest for knowledge and art, without it.
Although some Greeks did consider slavery unethical, it was practiced nearly universally; not that everyone owned slaves, but slavery was an integral part of every society and therefore every citizen worked in a slave economy.
Example Question #2 : Labor Systems And Economic Systems
One of the earliest clear examples of economic specialization, work being the full-time production of goods rather than food by select members of a settled society, was the introduction of __________________.
the bow
the atlatl
Nile clay as a potter's material
the alphabet
Marl clay as a potter's material
Marl clay as a potter's material
Marl clay required much more training and constant supervision than Nile clay, which could be constructed into objects by a local potter who also raised animals or crops.
The bow and atlatl were prehistoric tools created by people who themselves used them to hunt.
The earliest alphabets were invented after Marl clay had been introduced into Egyptian societies.
Example Question #3 : Labor Systems And Economic Systems
Which of these statements about job specialization during the Neolithic Era is most accurate?
Job specialization led to increased interdependence in society
Job specialization led to a less distinct division of social classes
Job specialization led to a pooling of collective wealth
Job specialization held back innovation and technological advancement
None of these
Job specialization led to increased interdependence in society
Prior to the Neolithic Revolution job specialization was fairly simple— if you were a man you hunted, if you were a woman you gathered. However, after the invention of agriculture job specialization increased dramatically. The surplus of food allowed many individuals to pursue different kinds of work. Artists, merchants, craftsmen, scribes, soldiers, and priests emerged. This led to an increased interdependence in society, as each individual relied more on others to provide the essential things needed in life.
Example Question #1 : Labor Systems And Economic Systems
___________ allowed people in early civilizations to specialize in different types of labor, such as merchants, scribes, priests, and artisans
Trade
Writing
Patriarchy
Surplus food
Surplus food
Specialization in early civilizations would have been most influenced by surplus food. Before the advent of agriculture, most humans had to devote their energy to finding and preparing food. With agriculture allowing people to settle and create civilizations, this meant that fewer people were needed to provide food, and others could specialize in other areas.
Example Question #5 : Labor Systems And Economic Systems
How did human societies change throughout the Neolithic Age?
All humans stopped gathering food and began to practice agriculture
People focused mainly on divine authorities rather than providers as to who their leaders would be
Societies became more settled and saw a growth in specialization in many places
Nomadic pastoralism replaced agriculture on most continents
Societies became more settled and saw a growth in specialization in many places
Agriculture, the major transformation of the Neolithic Age, allowed people to settle in one place. It also meant that fewer people were needed for the task of providing food since surpluses could be created, allowing other people to specialize in a variety of other skills.
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