Prompt A:
There were many factors that set the stage for the Mesopotamian area being success. Mesopotamia which means between two rivers is located in the eastern Mediterranean between the Euphrates River and the Tigris River (Hollar, 2011). Mesopotamia is recognized as the first civilization. Mesopotamia hand many geological factors that contributed to its success as a society. I believe that Mesopotamia’s location on the globe was its greatest attribution for forming a successful community. This great attribute in addition to the proximity to water sources, the fertileness of the ground and the tempered climate. The location offered for a thriving agricultural community. Farming days had longer hours and seasons lasted longer. Although this land was not perfect it had the makings for what it would take to be a self-sufficient area. Many settlers came to the area do to the large amounts of natural resources (Soomo, 2013).

Prompt 2:
Potatoes were a great source of diffusion between early human societies. Potatoes were first found in the in the Andes South American mountain area. When potatoes were first discovered there were only two hundred and –thirty five species. News of this new super food began to spread around the world. They were deemed just as important as the major kitchen staples rice, maize or wheat. They were easy to grow and very good for you and were considered to have many healing properties as well. This new super food made its first major debut in Europe and was then transported throughout the world by trading companies, sailors and Conquistadors. It took nearly forty years for word of the potatoes to make it around the world.
This spud was just as priceless as gold when it was newly discovered. As the word about potatoes spread across the world, settler’s views on the important staple foods were changing. People from all walks of life were excited and believed potatoes to be the answer to many of the problems at hand such as the great famine. The simplicity of the plant made it appealing. There are currently an astounding 5000 cultivated variations of potatoes. In 1995 the potatoes were the first food that NASA grew in outer space. To this date potatoes are still considered to be one of the major staples of food even after 250 million years.

Prompt 3 As I reflect on the development and expansion of this great place called the United States I believe that one of the most influential factors that helped to develop this country was the usage of the Mississippi River. The river was a 2300 mile body of water that went almost the entire length of the United States. This body of water was a main transport for goods from one end of the country to the other. The first steam boat in was created in the 1783 and made travels to and from much easier and shorten the duration of the trips

The second factor I feel that should be recognized as a top reason for the development and expansion of the United States is the invention of the rail or train system. Even though, this invention did not come about until forty years after the steamboat its construction allowed bigger changes to occur faster, allowing the United States to progress expediently. This new mode of transportation took life as settlers knew it to the next level. The possibility for travel, sales and transportation of goods was unimaginable. The railroad system moved three times as fast as the boat system, it also incurred less unaccounted for situations such as heavy storms, extreme heat and sun. The railroad system was a main staple in the country’s formation.