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4 Ways Climate Change has Affected History
#2 The Destruction of Native Americans
Climate change and the issues associated with it are not something new. The changing climate and its ripple effects have influenced much of history. Let’s look at some of the major instances in the past when climate change has shaped the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, altered the course of empires, and even determined the fate of legendary conquerors.
1. The downfall of Mesopotamia
Over twelve millennia ago, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) was the cradle of civilization and gave birth to some of the primary ancient cultures we know today. The Mesopotamian land was fertile and bore favorable climatic conditions for people to settle there.
But nature giveth, and nature taketh away. As the years passed, over six millennia later, our ancestors were forced to migrate because of growing drought-like conditions in the land. This paved the way for the fall of what once was the Fertile Crescent, the Mesopotamia and the rise of the North African and European regions.
