Week 5: Guns, Germs, and Steel 2 Flashcards
Match each concept to its description:
CONCEPT:
Guns
Germs
Steel
Diffusion
DESCRIPTION:
A) Spread of technology and ideas between societies
B) Biological advantage due to disease immunity
C) Symbol of military power
D) Technological advancement in metallurgy
Guns - C
Germs - B
Steel - D
Diffusion - A
Match each region with its historical significance according to Diamond:
REGION:
Fertile Crescent
Eurasia
Americas
Descriptions:
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
A) Early center of agriculture due to domesticable plants and animals
B) East-west orientation that allowed for shared agricultural practices
C) Lacked domesticable animals, which limited immunity development
Fertile Crescent - A
Eurasia - B
Americas - C
Explain the significance of the east-west axis in Eurasia according to Diamond’s theory.
The east-west axis of Eurasia allowed for the easier spread of crops, livestock, and technologies across similar climates and latitudes, facilitating shared agricultural practices and technological advancement.
Why does Diamond argue that germs were an unintended weapon in European conquests?
Europeans had immunity to certain diseases due to long-term exposure to domesticated animals, but indigenous populations did not, leading to devastating epidemics upon contact.
Describe how environmental determinism differs from cultural determinism.
Environmental determinism attributes societal outcomes to environmental factors like geography and resources, while cultural determinism emphasizes the role of cultural choices and innovations.
What is Diamond’s main argument against genetic explanations for societal development?
Diamond argues that societal success is due to environmental advantages rather than genetic differences, showing that geography and resources shaped development.
How did domestication of animals contribute to the spread of diseases?
Close contact with animals led to the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which European populations developed immunity to over time.
Define “Geographical Determinism.”
Geographical determinism is the theory that physical geography and environmental factors play a decisive role in shaping the development of societies.
Define “Diffusion” in the context of technology and ideas.
Diffusion is the spread of technologies, ideas, and cultural practices between societies, often facilitated by trade and geographic proximity.
What is meant by “Technological Diffusion”?
Technological diffusion refers to the spread of technological advancements between societies, which is often influenced by geography and trade networks.
