Week 2 Weekly

 Grace Leung

2/3/10

Western Civilization

Essay Question: Question: Is 'Change' a Good Thing or a Bad Thing? (Relate to the origins of art, the agricultural revolution, architecture and urban planning in Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.

There are many forms of change that can influence a nation in a positive and negative way.  The architecture of Mesopotamia influenced the nation benefited the people living there, but did not always end in a positive way. The agriculture revolution is another time period that influenced the African nation. Throughout history the demonstration of negative and positive reactions to change are visible Depending on the circumstances change can be both, bad and good, different forms of art prove this throughout history as well.

One example of positive and negative change is in Mesopotamia, in this nation many different forms of architecture that has influenced its nation. A positive way is how the different houses were built in Mesopotamia, they were built out of mud and clay compacted together. This made the hot climate in Mesopotamia easier for the people there to live in. There was a negative factor to the mud and clay homes built there. During the sand storms or floods, because of the stability, these homes would collapse or decay. The architecture of Mesopotamia’s buildings were both a positive and negative part of the nation’s history, these buildings were useful, but had their negative effects.

The agricultural revolution in Africa is a very solid example of a time period that affects a nation in a positive and negative way. The agricultural revolution in Africa occurred over ten thousand years ago, it began when there was a large drought and farmers moved close to lakes or areas with water.  After this migration towards land surrounded by water, irrigation began. Irrigation soon leads to the increase of crops being produced.  Soon enough Africa began to lead in crops and other surpluses grown, it thrived in resources. Irrigation has its negative effects on Africa as well. Sometimes water would overflow or flow onto streets, which stopped travelers or caused merchants to need to find another route.  Agriculture influenced Africa in many ways some were very effective positively, for example the growing of crops. While others influenced Africa negatively like the flooding of lands.

The Origins of Art have affected places all over the world in positive and negative change. Through the origins of art we learn more about a nation’s past and sometimes even present. One example is in the Caves of Lascaux, these caves are found on the southwest side of France. On the cave walls animals and people are depicted with paint.  These have given historians an insight on what occurred or what it was like to live during that era.  The caves contain over two thousand depictions of art, hand painted.  Giving people around the world insight to the fifteenth century, this will allow people outside of France to also benefit in a positive way.  Unfortunately, it is very hard for the caves to be preserved and some painting were perished during World War II.  These caves bring a positive effect to the world, but can also bring a negative effect, if they are misread or interpreted the wrong way, the caves would no longer be useful to France or other nations.

Through many examples, it is shown that the Origins of Art, the Agricultural Revolution and Architecture in Mesopotamia can benefit different parts of the world in both negative and positive ways.  History can be discovered through the Caves of Lascaux and irrigation can cause a huge growth in resources in a country or nation.  Every positive act or part of history has its negative side, depending on the circumstances. Change can become negative or positive, the deciding factor is always the circumstances and the effect the change has on the nation, change can cause a positive and negative effect on history.