After the Neolithic Revolution, humans began to farm and domesticate animals which was much different than their previous nomadic lifestyle. Farming led to a surplus in food which made the population rise. The increased population led to the first villages which evolved into the first civilizations. Most of these civilizations formed near rivers. Civilizations were significantly affected by the rivers they settled by. Two river valleys that were affected similarly were Ancient China, which was affected by the Yellow river, and Ancient Egypt, which was affected by the Nile river.
Through flooding, the Yellow River significantly affected civilization in Ancient China both positively and negatively. The Yellow River flooded unpredictably, which was detrimental for their civilization. When the river flooded, it destroyed crops causing famine and starvation. These negative effects resulted in people in Ancient China naming it the “River of Sorrows”. When the early people in Ancient China chose their leader, they often based their choice on the
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The Nile River also flooded, and could destroy crops and kill people and animals; however, unlike Ancient China, people in Ancient Egypt could predict when the Nile RIver would flood.. Ancient Egyptians could determine when it flooded, so they could prepare accordingly. Much like the Yellow River, The Nile River brought in silt, or fertile soil, so plants could grow well. Places outside of the river valley were deserts and nothing could be grown there, so the silt coming in from the river made a huge difference for Egyption agriculture. Agriculture was significantly affected by the Nile River because when it flooded fertile silt washed up on its shore, making agriculture possible for Ancient Egypt. Much like the Yellow River, The Nile River had both positive and negative effects on Ancient Egypt’s river