Much emphasis is often placed on how the physical environment affected the social and political configurations of the earliest river valley states in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus, and China

Question

Conversely, the succeeding states that emerged (Hittite, Crete, Harappa, and Zhou), often in the same regions, were seemingly far more fragile. Use specific examples to discuss the different reasons why the succeeding were far more fragile than the stable states that proceeded them.

Answer 1

Answers will vary but correct responses should include: Succeeding states were much more ambitious in their growth and development than before and this growth overcame their ability to sustain their states. They had unsustainable goals of expansion that weakened these civilizations. Population became centered around cities and these pressures made it harder than before to maintain adequate food production. As some of the civilizations prospered, enemies increased and challenged them for territory. While ecological disasters affected earlier states, they could completely destroy those civilizations that had completely dedicated themselves to agriculture.