|
|
In Guns, Germs, and Steel, University of California at Los Angeles physiologist Jared Diamond contends that geography had a pivotal role in development, arguing essentially that the West was lucky to develop first. Because the Eurasian landmass is oriented east-west, much of its area lies in the same climatic region. This enabled events like the rapid spread of cereal cultivation across most of the landmass in a historically short 2,500 years.
By contrast, the same techniques spread quickly into northern Africa, but then stopped completely because they could neither succeed in—nor cross—that continent’s hot tropical zone into Southern Africa. Also, since Eurasian societies could more easily trade ideas, they gained a huge developmental head start over the societies of other regions.
According to Diamond, eventually the lead that Eurasian societies had in development gave them further tools to dominate peoples of other regions. In his theory, agricultural success created food surpluses that led to the establishment of soldier classes and advanced weapons.
Furthermore, many centuries of working with animals caused Eurasians to catch and become partially immune to diseases like smallpox, flu, tuberculosis, malaria, plague, measles, and cholera, all of which were originally animal sicknesses. With these “guns, germs, and steel,” for example, a tiny group of 168 Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro (along with local allies) defeated an army of 80,000 and went on to conquer the entire Inca Empire in what is now South America.
Another example includes the river valley civilizations that existed before the Common Era. These civilizations developed near the Nile River, the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (Mesopotamian), Yellow and Yangzte Rivers in modern-day China, and Indus River in South Asia. These civilizations became largely successful because of their proximity to necessities (water), the growth of foods near the water, and more temperate climates. As people gathered around these major water sources, they began diversifying their social structures. Later, the nations built near these areas would become major hubs for trade, thus leading to greater wealth.
The ebb and flow of natural resources in a geographic area can greatly affect how societies develop. For example, natural resources can benefit a country. But in some cases, the absence of resources can also help a nation. This was the case in Great Britain prior to the Industrial Revolution, during which the absence of wood and timber led to developments in steel and steam.
Next: Culture