Help on Early River Civilizations?

Question

Can Someone please help me find a controversial issue from one of the 4 cultures including:

The Nile, Indus, Yellow, and Tigris- Euphrates

Answer 1

Well, first, large civilizations always formed around river valley's because of the fresh water needed for drinking and irrigation.  Rivers were used for transportation too, and connecting to other trading partners.

The one "controversial" issue for each may have to do with warfare, and how they defended themselves from invaders.  The "have nots" always wanted to take from the "haves".

This controversy included how to select rulers.  Do they inherit power, or seize power.  I.e, rule by the military, or most powerful warlord, for example.  Those without power, always wanted to take away the power of those higher up on the ladder.

Strong rules keep their kingdoms safe, weak ones lost out to the "have nots".

Another issue is disease, plagues.  This also weakens each civilization, since in the old days they did not know about bacteria, germs and how to sterilize their water or food.

Disease weakened all the above "river" civilizations.

That's why we have environmental laws today, and clean air, and clean water laws.  Without them, we'd suffer more illnesses and weaken our immune systems, allowing the "have nots" to destroy us too.

A civilization is not always about having good "spiritual values" but about staying clean in body, strong in mind, and having a strong army doesn't hurt too.

The "controversy" is how to get the people to be willing to pay the taxes, or put forth the effort to "save themselves".  

They did not have "media" in ancient times, so relied upon "word of mouth".

That's why each of the great civilizations had huge monuments that inspired people.  The pyramids of Egypt, the large "hanging gardens" of Babylonia, and the wonderful Temples of India.

These monuments made people have pride in their land, and encouraged people to work harder, to protect themselves.

Hope this is enough information to allow you to write some sort of answer to suit your teacher.