contingency contingency alternatives options possibilities conditions for something

contingency

contingency alternatives; options; possibilities; conditions for something to happen choices taken given those conditions contingency = the idea that. . . things didn’t have to happen the way they happened

contingency conditions & choices contingency

contingency tells us the directions, the changes, the choices, and decisions in history

contingency = conditions + choices contingency tells us the directions, the changes, the choices, and decisions in history things didn’t have to happen the way they did

contingency tells us that what happened didn’t have to happen; or, that things might have happened in some places but not others; or, that it could have happened in different places at different times

contingency asks: why did the first civilizations arise in just a few places and not others? why did civilization arrive later to other places, and not until much later for others?

contingency If we ask: “why did the first civilizations arise in just a few places and not others? ” contingency explains it. . .

contingency “why did the first civilizations arise in just a few places and not others? ” contingency tells us the story: the contingencies of the first civilizations: * large river valleys * warm climate w/ long growing season * long river(s) that flood * silt * cultural diffusion along the river(s)

contingency “why did the first civilizations arise in just a few places and not others? ” contingency tells us the story: the contingencies of the first civilizations are those necessary causes, or conditions, for civilization to arise (which we call the “civilization package”!) which way to civilization?

contingency “why did the first civilizations arise in just a few places and not others? ” contingency tells us the story: * some paths led to continued Stone Age * some paths led to villages * some paths led to herders & nomads * just a few paths led to civilization: those places that had the right conditions -- the contingencies -- for the Rise of Civilization which way to civilization?

contingency helps us understand why things happened: * what conditions were behind events? * what options were available? * which agents had an impact, or effect, on events? understand contingency = understand history!

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