World History 101: Civilizational-Collapse - The Great Exit of Cahokia, A Voluntary Collapse of Hierarchy

? What this actually is

The 'Great Exit' of Cahokia refers to the mysterious collapse of the largest pre-Columbian city in North America, located in what is now modern-day Illinois. The conventional narrative is that Cahokia, which flourished from around 700 to 1400 CE, was a powerful and complex state that was eventually abandoned due to environmental degradation, warfare, or internal strife. However, a growing body of research suggests that the collapse of Cahokia was not a catastrophic event, but rather a voluntary exit from the hierarchical social structure that had developed there.

This matters because it challenges the common myth that complex societies inevitably lead to the rise of powerful states and the concentration of power. Instead, the 'Great Exit' of Cahokia suggests that even in the presence of social complexity, people can choose to abandon hierarchical structures and create new forms of social organization. Understanding this can help us think more critically about the relationship between social complexity, power, and inequality in the world today.

? Key ideas (from the scholars)

1. Social complexity without the state

• Scholars: David Graeber, David Wengrow
• Argument: Complex societies can exist without the presence of a centralized state or hierarchical power structure.
• Example: The example of the 'Great Exit' of Cahokia, where the collapse of the city's hierarchical structure was not accompanied by a collapse of social complexity.

2. The importance of voluntary collapse

• Scholars: James C. Scott, Peter Turchin
• Argument: Voluntary collapse, where a society chooses to abandon a hierarchical structure, can be a more common and desirable outcome than catastrophic collapse.
• Example: The example of the collapse of the Mayan civilization, where some cities voluntarily abandoned their cities before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

3. The role of elite overproduction

• Scholars: Peter Turchin, David Graeber
• Argument: The overproduction of elites can lead to social instability and the collapse of complex societies.
• Example: The example of the collapse of the Roman Empire, where the overproduction of elites led to social and economic instability.

? Hidden rule nobody explains

One hidden rule that changes how we see history is that complex societies are not always about the concentration of power. In fact, many complex societies have been characterized by decentralized power structures and a lack of hierarchical authority. This is evident in the example of the 'Great Exit' of Cahokia, where the collapse of the city's hierarchical structure was not accompanied by a collapse of social complexity.

? The deeper story

The conventional version of the story of Cahokia's collapse is that the city was abandoned due to environmental degradation, warfare, or internal strife. However, a growing body of research suggests that the collapse was not a catastrophic event, but rather a voluntary exit from the hierarchical social structure that had developed there.

The evidence that complicates or overturns this narrative includes:

• Archaeological evidence of a gradual decline in the city's population and economic activity over several centuries.
• Textual sources that suggest the city's inhabitants were not forced to leave, but rather chose to abandon their homes and relocate to other areas.
• Data points that suggest the city's collapse was not accompanied by a collapse of social complexity, but rather a transformation of the social structure.

The debate among scholars is ongoing, with some arguing that the collapse was indeed a catastrophic event, while others argue that it was a voluntary exit.

? Why this still matters

Understanding the 'Great Exit' of Cahokia can help us think more critically about the relationship between social complexity, power, and inequality in the world today. It suggests that even in the presence of social complexity, people can choose to abandon hierarchical structures and create new forms of social organization. This has implications for our understanding of social change, inequality, and the role of power in shaping human societies.

? Your move today

Goal: Read a primary source excerpt from the Cahokia archaeological site. Step-by-step:

1. Find a primary source excerpt from the Cahokia archaeological site that describes the city's collapse.
2. Read the excerpt and take notes on the language and tone used.
3. Reflect on how the excerpt challenges or supports the conventional narrative of the city's collapse.
4. Write a one-paragraph summary of the excerpt in your own words.

What to save: A copy of the primary source excerpt and your one-paragraph summary.

? Resource asset for today

Timeline of the collapse of Cahokia:

Common misunderstandings & nuance

2 common misinterpretations:

• The collapse of Cahokia was a catastrophic event caused by environmental degradation or warfare.
• The collapse of Cahokia was a result of internal strife or social instability.

1 important nuance: The collapse of Cahokia was not a single event, but rather a gradual process that occurred over several centuries.

1 sign you're understanding it correctly: You can explain in your own words why the collapse of Cahokia was a voluntary exit from the hierarchical social structure that had developed there.

? Completion check

"I can explain in my own words why the collapse of Cahokia was a voluntary exit from the hierarchical social structure that had developed there."