Demographic, Social, Political, and Economic Effects of Neolithic Revolution

The Neolithic Revolution was the transition of human beings from a Paleolithic hunter-gatherer species to an agricultural one. It began approximately 10,000 years ago amongst various people groups around the world, not having one specific place of origin but occurring in many places over time. Historians believe the revolution began as a response to a variety issues, the primary one being a change in climate. As the most recent Ice Age came to an end, it leads to the earth’s increase in overall temperatures. This caused large amounts of ice from the polls to recede backwards, opening up space for inhabitable land. Because of the warmer conditions, the soil was also more fertile and easier to cultivate. As a result of this early humans found a way to have a relatively constant food supply and were able to settle. This is essentially what began the foundation of how we maintain ourselves as a species today.

Due to Neolithic Revolution, humans were able to have something they have never had before, large surpluses of food which meant that more people could live in an area at the same time. Settlements started to grow and people from across regions gravitated to a certain area which lead to more diverse populations. This is unlike hunter-gatherer packs that were usually made of nuclear and extended families. Because of these larger populations and surpluses of food, someone was needed to supervise them. This is where government came into play. Leaders were chosen to keep track of and distribute food properly. These leaders were formed out of military leaders, they turned into kings, later prime ministers and presidents. Government is now a focal point of every human society.

The Neolithic Revolution also caused the beginning of social stratification. Some people had larger surpluses than others and were able to sell a portion of the food. They became wealthier and were able to afford and build larger houses, better land, tools, clothing and, more. Since these times the disparities between rich and poor have only grown with the top 1% of people (income wise) owning 50% of the wealth.

The Neolithic Revolution also led to the rise of the patriarchy, women were seen as below men, most likely because of men’s roles as the hunters in Paleolithic days and women’s roles as nurturers, bearing and taking care of more children because families needed more people to work the fields. They began to be discriminated against and unfortunately patriarchal societies still exist today and have had lasting effects on women right’s across the world.

Lastly trade developed greatly as a result of the switch to agriculture. Groups of people exchanged goods they had for goods they needed, in modern times, trade (exports) contribute to a huge part of our economy.