Friday, October 2, 2009

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Explain Jared Diamond’s theory about how geography impacted Europe and made them "accidental conquerors?"

Jerad Diamond's theory was that the reasons some cultures flourished while others were left behind was because of the geographical location. Europe's geographical location made them accidental conquerors because guns, germs, and steel affected their culture the most. For example, steel weapon making was being perfected in the fertile crescent, known as modern day Iran. Due to Europe's proximity to the fertile crescent, the culture's of Europe were affected much more than the culture of South America. This geographical benefit allowed for Europe to advance in weapon making technology, while South American civilizations were left behind. This geographical benefit was vital in the conquest of South America because the South American civilizations were still fighting with outdated equipment while hundreds of years of weapon improvement in Europe allowed for the most advanced weapons. Germs and guns were also influenced in everyday European society. These three main deadly weapons were the keys to the Spanish takeover of South America. These weapons were bestowed accidentally to the Spanish only because of their geographical location thus making them accidental conquerors.

Steel vs. Bronze

The battle of Steel weapons vs. the outdated bronze weapons was no battle. Steel is much stronger and springier than a bronze sword, which are the two main components for a successful sword. The reason Europe required steel weapons while the Inca's were deprived from the new technology was because of the two countries geographical location to the fertile crescent, where steel weapons were being perfected. While the Spanish were just a stones throw from the fertile crescent, the Inca's were a world away. The great body of water, the Atlantic Ocean, was an obstacle that the Inca's didn't think to cross. This was partly because they were located on the Pacific Ocean side of South America and partly because they had a rich and fulfilling life and didn't seek the 5 G's that the Spaniards did. The steel weapons were an unfair match against the Inca's bronze weapons, which allowed the Spaniards to have an improved fighting ability, which the Inca's lacked.

Horses vs. Llamas

The Spanish war trained horses vs. the cultural incorporated llamas was an unfair match as well. While Spanish horses offered war advantages, mobility, and a seat to ride upon for many miles, their Incan counter part, the llama, offered just wool and milk. While agricultural and clothing benefits are helpful to society, they are not as helpful on a battlefield. The Spanish horses caused sheer terror on the battlefield by intimidating the opponent. The horses also acted as a platform from which the Spanish could attack from. It is much easier swinging a sword downwards throughout the course of a battle than swinging the sword on a level plane for the course of the same battle. The choice between horses or llamas is simple in a battle, the horse can be used as a modern day tank, while the llama is there for moral support.

Do you think that Diamond's theory is still relevant in today's modern world?


I do think Diamond's theory is still relevant today. In the world today geographical location affects the world primarily with natural resources. For example the world's black gold, oil, is located primarily in the Middle East. The Middle East holds the largest oil reserve in the world not because they decided to settle right on top of a buried treasure, but by pure chance which makes them an "accidental conqueror", just like the Spaniards. Geographical location is key to the success of a culture and with that being stated, cultures who are at a geographical disadvantage have two options:
1. To move to another geographical location
2. Try to use the current geographical location to its strengths and trade amongst other cultures who have the resources you need, but can't effectively produce.

Exploration is at the heart of the human experience


Exploration is the heart of human experience and motivates us to create, discover, and journey. Exploration has lead us to create and discover some of the most powerful and advanced weapons. For example the continents of Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa were connected by land that could be traveled. This lead to the expansion of different culutres. At times different cultures expanding boundaries would collide at which point a truce was worked out or a battle would emerge. In order for one culture to have the advantage in these important battles the most strategic leaders, motivated armies, and above all, the most advanced weapons would decide the crucial turning points. These demands lead to the invention of the gun and weapons made from steel. Exploration is the explanation why people want to discover treasures, lost cities, and maybe religious artifacts too. The sense of exploration is close to the heart. With out it no "Indian Jones" movies would have been created, no life altering discoveries would be made. Without exploration we would be no different than cavemen who walked the earth thousands of years ago.

For more information on Guns, Germs, and Steel, please visit:

http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/

No comments:

Post a Comment