Week 7: Slides (6-7)

Question 1

Why was Eurasia uniquely positioned to domesticate horses?

A. Horses were abundant and naturally easy to tame

B. The Eurasian continent had a variety of animal species suitable for domestication

C. Horses were the only animals available in Eurasia

D. Horses are only native to Eurasia

Answer 1

B. The Eurasian continent had a variety of animal species suitable for domestication

Explanation: Eurasia had multiple animal species, including horses, that were suited for domestication, giving them an advantage in muscle power and transportation.

Question 2

True or False: In the Americas, there were animals suitable for domestication similar to horses.

Answer 2

False

Explanation: The Americas lacked suitable animals for domestication, limiting societies there in terms of muscle power and agricultural efficiency.

Question 3

Fill-in-the-Blank

The domestication of __________ in Eurasia provided societies with muscle power, transportation, and military advantages.

Answer 3

Answer: Horses

Explanation: Horses were used for work, travel, and warfare, giving Eurasian societies a significant advantage.

Question 4

Why could zebras not be domesticated like horses, despite their similar appearance?

Answer 4

Zebras are much more aggressive and difficult to control compared to horses, making them unsuitable for domestication. Their temperament and behaviour prevent them from being tamed like horses.

Question 5

Define “Muscle Power” in the context of domesticable animals.

Answer 5

Muscle power refers to the physical work capability provided by domesticated animals, such as horses and oxen, which can be used for tasks like plowing fields, transportation, and even in military contexts.

Question 6

Yes/No

Did the availability of draft and food animals in Eurasia contribute to their societal advantages?

Answer 6

Yes

Explanation: Access to domesticated animals provided nutritional and labor benefits, supporting agricultural productivity and enabling complex societies.

Question 7

Which of the following benefits did horses provide to Eurasian societies?

A. Recreational use only
B. Nutritional value, muscle power, and military advantage
C. Protection from predators
D. None of the above

Answer 7

B

Explanation: Horses contributed to food sources, physical labor, and warfare capabilities in Eurasian societies.

Question 8

Fill-in-the-Blank

The Americas and Africa had limited access to __________ species, which hindered the development of complex agricultural societies.

Answer 8

Domesticable

Explanation: The lack of domesticable animals limited agricultural and societal development in these regions.

Question 9

Match the following regions with their characteristics in animal domestication:

A. Eurasia
B. Americas
C. Africa

1. Had an abundance of domesticable animals, including horses and cattle.
2. Lacked animals suitable for domestication, such as horses.
3. Lacked domesticable species, including zebras which could not be tamed.

Answer 9

A-1
B-2
C-3

Question 10

How did the availability of domesticated animals, such as horses, contribute to military power in Eurasian societies?

Answer 10

Horses provided a means for faster transportation, mobility in battle, and the ability to use cavalry tactics.

These advantages in warfare allowed Eurasian societies to expand and conquer territories more effectively than societies without such animals.