Crash Course World History Introduction

Lecturer: John Green

Introduction

• Welcoming the class to Crash Course World History
• Focus on exploring human progress over the last 15,000 years

The Test

• Continuous life-long test measuring:
  • Being informed, engaged, and productive citizens
  • Ability to think critically
  • Resist empty political rhetoric
  • Place life in a broader context
• Takes place in various settings (schools, dates, interviews, etc.)

Evolution from Hunting and Gathering to Modernity

• Humans evolved from foraging to agriculture and beyond
• Example: 99 cent double cheeseburger
  • Complex processes involved in its creation
  • Raises questions on living in a world of abundance

Foragers and Hunters

• Life of foragers (15,000 years ago)
  • Gathered fruits, nuts, grains, and hunted
  • Fishing was an abundant and safe food source
• Foragers had healthier bones and teeth compared to early agriculturalists
• Engaged in art, music, storytelling, and leisure (e.g., skoodilypooping)

Rise of Agriculture

• Independent cultivation of crops worldwide
• Main crops: rice, maize, potatoes, wheat, yams
• Advantages of agriculture:
  • Controllable food supply
  • Possible food surplus enabling cities and labor specialization
  • Supported large populations
• Disadvantages:
  • Environmental impact
  • Difficult and labor-intensive
  • Led to ownership of other humans (slavery)

Herding as an Alternative

• Domestication of animals provided meat, milk, wool, and leather
• Necessary to move frequently (except Mongols)
• Limited to certain animals (sheep, goats, cattle, etc.)

Theories on Agricultural Revolution

• Different theories on why agriculture started:
  • Population pressure
  • Leisure time enabling experimentation
  • Fertility rites
  • Alcohol production
  • Evolutionary desire to increase food availability
• Examples include early domestication of snails in southern Greece

Impacts of Agriculture

• Led to patriarchy, inequality, war, and famine
• Significant environmental changes
• Long-term irreversible changes in human societies

Conclusion

• Importance of studying history to understand past decisions and their impacts
• Irrevocable decisions shape future revolutions

Next Episode

• Exploration of the Indus River Valley

Credits

• Produced and directed by Stan Muller
• Written by Raoul Meyer and John Green
• Graphics by Thought Bubble

Call to Action

• Guess the phrase of the week in comments
• Suggest future phrases or ask questions in comments
• Closing note: "Don't Forget To Be Awesome"