Subsistence Strategies

Objectives4/10

Describe the typologies for subsistence strategies and political organizations.

Compare typologies. ____________________________________

QuestionIs Woody High a macro or micro culture?

Why?

Subsistence Strategies

The way people in a society make a living Provide for their basic needs

Subsistence strategies and political organizations are closely integrated

Extensive Intensive

Involves large areas of land and minimal labor input per acre

1. Foraging2. Horticulture3. Pastoralism

Involves the cultivation of small amounts of land through the spending of great amounts of labor per acre1. Agriculture2. Industrialism

Subsistence Strategies2 different kinds

Weekly Plan

Pick subsistence strategyProvide notes for each section

Use books and provided information Chapter 17 (p. 437-453)

Write neatly Compile information for a master copy by Thursday

Objectives 4/11

Understand foraging as a subsistence strategy.

Describe specific aspects of foraging._____________________________________

Which group of subsistence strategies uses the most amount of land?

Foraging

Oldest strategy Only form until 10-12,000 years ago

Kin based bands made up of 100 people, no more! Leader is typically not special but has more

responsibilities Speaks for the group

Temporary encampments

Men typically hunt large gameWomen gather and hunt small game close to

camp

Foraging Cont.

Least complicated form of government Own dogs

Herding, watch-animals, camp scavengersControlled burns

Burn off old vegetation to grow new fresh vegetationSocial conflict controls the group number

Misconceptions

Short miserable livesHard to find foodStart work at a young age

Objectives4/12

Describe and identify horticulture and pastoralism as subsistence strategies

Form a comparison between the subsistence strategies.

_____________________________________

Name a misconception of foraging societies.

Horticulture

Small scale, low intensity farming Humid, tropical conditions

Supplemented with hunting and gatheringHigher densities

1-10 people/square mile Population size- 30 to several hundred

Able to trade surplus Buy items that cannot be produced

Horticulture Cont.…

Shifting pattern Unfertile soil- move to new field

Controlled burn Clear away dead brush to make way for new

vegetation Ash acts as a fertilizer

Labor intensivePesticides are not used

Harsh on the land

Misunderstanding

Unproductive Tangle of wild vegetation Better growing season

Plant multiple seeds in same whole

Pastoralism

Tends heard of large animals Horses are preferred in Central Asia

Open country where farming cannot be sustained

Droughts Spread out herd

Animals are rarely killed for family use alone Preserving meat

Sharing amongst members

Nomadic Transhumance

Follow seasonal migratory pattern

Not permanentSelf-sufficient

Follow a cyclical pattern of migration Warm highlands in

summer /warm lowlands in winter

Regular encampments

Rely less on animals

Pastoralism

Personality/Social Life

In East Africa, cattle herding societies also bleed their animals.  The blood is mixed with fresh milk to make a protein rich drink.

Men make important decisions and own animals Act on decisions easily Expanding territory at the expense of others

Women perform domestic duties

Military Conquests

Agricultural societies Established important kingdoms

Zulus defeated the Dutch in South Africa

Operate in large societiesValue extreme braveryIndependent of lines of supply

Objectives4/13

Describe agriculture and industrialism as subsistence strategies.

_____________________________________

What are “Use Rights”?

Intensive Strategies

Use least amount of land with the most amount being produced Two Strategies:

Agriculture Industrialism

Agriculture

Primary strategy use in large-scale societiesFormed 5,000 years ago

Population growth= new strategyMade possible by domestication of large

animals and irrigation systems

Ancient vs. Modern Irrigation systems

Agriculture Cont.

Ancient Civilizations Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, Pakistan, North China,

Mesoamerica, Western South America

Current Civilizations Primary food production pattern in all developed

nations

Social Changes Permanent settlements that would last for generations Evolution to the complexity of labor

Industrialism

Involves production of goods through mass employment in business/commercial operations

Income used to purchase food, shelter, and other products

Complex social structures Nation states=

Division of labor is varied Based on gender, age and intelligence

Industrialism

Dependence on fossil fuelsLong work weeksDecreased family size