Final answer:
The Neolithic Revolution marks the time when farming became widespread, leading to permanent settlements and paving the way for the development of cities. It involved the domestication of plants and animals, ultimately transforming human societies by allowing for population growth, specialization, trade, and the rise of political structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period when farming was popularized and people began to settle permanently instead of moving around as hunter-gatherers is known as the Neolithic Revolution. This monumental transition saw humanity shift from a nomadic lifestyle to one based primarily on agriculture, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements. One of the most significant aspects of the Neolithic Revolution was the domestication of plants and animals, which allowed for stable food supplies and the growth of populations. This fundamental change laid the groundwork for significant social transformations, including increased population growth, the development of labor specialization, and the formation of sophisticated settlements which eventually evolved into cities. The Neolithic Revolution occurred independently in various regions, including the Near East, China, sub-Saharan Africa, Mesoamerica, and South America, each region cultivating different plant species native to their locales.Through the systematic cultivation of crops and the domestication of animals for labor and food, human societies were able to amass surplus resources, leading to the emergence of trade, markets, and ultimately political entities and regional empires. The adoption of agriculture brought about a range of advancements but also introduced new challenges and complexities to human life.