Task 1-A
One significant environmental factor that contributed to the development of human society was the availability of an abundant supply of water, as provided by the rivers that helped contribute to the ancient civilization in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia, the area presently know as Iraq, is referred to as the “land between the rivers” (Hollar, 2011). In approximately 3300 BC, the people known as the Sumerians settled into an area known as the Plain of Shintar. In this area where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converged, there was an amazing and consistent supply of water, which helped these people develop their way of life (Hollar, 2011). The largely watered area gave way to an abundant amount of rich soil. This soil provided the ability to build houses and create irrigation systems. These tasks required cooperation among the settlers, leading to the growth of their newly established government. The soil also allowed the Sumerians to benefit from the their agriculture. The first grown items were barley, emmer, olives, grapes and flax (Hollar, 2011).
Task 1-B

The process of the diffusion of tea between early human societies began as early as the first century AD. The origin of tea is not historically clear, although it is said to have originated in China (Saberi, 2010). Initially, tea was used for the treatment of various ailments, such as stomach problems and other illnesses (Saberi, 2010). During the Tang dynasty from 618-907 AD, tea earned the reputation of being refreshing and invigorating. During this time, in the late eighth century a book called The Classic of Tea was written explaining the different ways to prepare tea (Saberi, 2010). Over the next centuries, the popularity of tea continued to flourish around the world. By the seventeenth century, tea had many different uses and ways of preparation. The first shipment of tea came to Europe in 1610, brought over from Asia to Amsterdam by the Dutch. Though tea was still considered a medicinal drink, it had also taken on a reputation for being a beverage of pleasure and relaxation (Saberi, 2010). They began to market this beverage to several other countries until eventually it became a high status beverage for both health and pleasure. When tea gained popularity in America, it was exported by the British. The tea would ship from China to England where it would then be exported to New York. In 1952, Lipton was the first company that commercialized tea, creating the “flow-thru” bag, with instructions for preparation on the bag (Saberi, 2010). It was not until 1989 that the British started their first tea plantation in Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall, which produced black and green teas (Saberi, 2010).
Task C
Gold Rush
The year 1848 in California history will always be remembered, for that year brought an end to the war with Mexico, leading to California becoming part of the United States (The California Historical Society, 2001). With statehood, California became a more attractive land to the settlers in the East. It also offered prosperous, land-promoting farming and cattle, another asset that enticed them to make the journey. It was in that same year that John Marshall, the foreman of John Sutter’s Mill in Corado, California, discovered a nugget of gold in the channel of river water he was gazing into. Marshall notified his boss, John Sutter, and the two of them attempted to keep this a secret (The California Historical Society, 2001). Rumors spread throughout the United States that there was gold to be found out West. Soon after, President James K. Polk confirmed that these rumors were true during his State of the Union address. Many east coast settlers wanted to partake in the retrieval of gold, and set out on the five to seven month journey across the country to California. The onset of the travel to California, which became known as the “Gold Rush,” brought people from all nations of the world including France, Australia, China, and Mexico along with many others (The California Historical Society, 2001). The extreme demand of supplies and food by the incoming gold diggers gave local merchants the ability to raise their prices outrageously. The subsequent cutting of the trees, in search of gold, provided the lumber needed to build towns. The population increased from “20,000 in 1846 to over 200,000 by the end of the 1850’s” (The California Historical Society, 2001).

Irish Potato Famine

In August of 1845 the blight, discovered in Ireland, began what is known as the Irish Potato Famine (Smith, 2011). The blight was a fungus that quickly spread throughout Ireland ruining 86% of the potato crops in the entire country. This was a devastation, not only on an international level because of its effect on potato exportation, but on a national level, since these potatoes were the primary food source of the Irish. Initially, the British government sought out to help the famine victims by sending a large amount of corn; however, it was eventually realized that the corn was unable to provide the sustenance needed for life (Smith, 2011). As a result, many people starved and died. The economic state of Ireland was in massive trouble. The only hope Irish citizens had was to leave the country and head to a place that would offer the jobs needed to provide food and warmth for all of these starving people.

By 1848, thousands of Irish immigrants arrived in the United States and met with much resistance. There was a large amount of discrimination upon their arrival. In 1847 the puritan city of Boston refused to welcome the 37,000 Irish Catholics that arrived, offering them no easy means to support themselves. (Gavin, 2000) However, New York was more welcoming of the 52,000 that arrived there. Although there were con artists that preyed upon them, the prejudice that occurred in Boston was much more severe (Gavin, 2000). In 1865 after the Civil War, due to their large population that fought for their country, the Irish were more accepted in America. Men were able to take jobs and participate in unions. The immigration of the Irish also played a major part in the rise of Catholicism in America, as it was the main religion in Ireland.

Reference List

Hollar, S. (Ed.). (2011). Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia [ebrary book]. Retrieved from http://lrps.wgu.edu/provision/8542376
Saberi, H. (2010). Tea: A global history [ebrary book]. Retrieved from http://lrps.wgu.edu/provision/8539375

The California Historical Society. (2001). The California Gold Rush: History through the collections series, part 1 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/research/pdf/California_Gold_Rush.pdf

Smith, A.F. (2011). Potato: A global history [ebrary book]. Retrieved from http://lrps.wgu.edu/provision/8539677

Gavin, G. (2000). Irish potato famine. Retrieved from http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/