Crash Course World History: The Role of Water in Civilization
Introduction
- Hosted by John Green.
- Focus on the rise and fall of civilizations through the lens of water resources.
- Importance of resources and environmental issues due to Earth being our only planet.
Importance of Water
- Water is essential for survival, agriculture, and raising animals.
- Necessary for building cities, most places require irrigation.
- Water management includes:
- Dams and levees to control flooding.
- Reservoirs, wells, and cisterns for water storage.
Water and Civilizations
- Mayan Civilization (Central America):
- Peak between 250 and 900 CE in Yucatan Peninsula.
- Developed complex mathematics and writing systems.
- Water management was crucial due to karst plain, poor soils, and low water table.
- Water projects included ditches, reservoirs, cisterns, and canals.
- Possible role of water in politics and religion; Holy Lords may have controlled water in exchange for tribute.
- Collapse linked to droughts.
Khmer Civilization (Southeast Asia):
- Flourished between 802 and 1327 CE in Cambodia.
- Known for Angkor Wat and massive reservoirs.
- Water issues different from Maya, but required significant labor.
- Unclear functions of reservoirs: irrigation, flood control, or religious purposes?
- Potential reasons for decline include environmental factors and weakened monsoons.
Environmental Impact
- Water control remains a critical issue today.
- Over a billion people lack access to safe drinking water.
- By 2025, significant water shortages expected globally.
- Lessons from history: be cautious of building large cities in arid areas.
Conclusion
- Historical understanding helps guide present and future actions.
- Acknowledgment of our interaction with the environment is crucial.
Acknowledgments
- Thanks to supporters and sponsors of Crash Course World History.
Remember: "Don't forget to be awesome."