Ap Guns Germs And Steel
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Chapter 1: “Up to the Starting Line” 1. When did the history of humans begin?
Around 50,000 years ago. “Human history at last took off around 50,000 years ago...” (Page 39)
2. Humans developed on what continent?
Humans developed in Africa. “…, indicates that the earliest stages of human evolution were also played out in Africa.” (Page 36)
3. The Giant Leap forward occurred when?
Around the time human history started, 50,000 years ago.
“Human History at last took off around 50,000 years ago, at the time of what I have termed our Great Leap Forward. (Page 39)
4. How does Diamond explain the mass extinction of large mammals in some areas?
He explains the existence first and then explains how the dates of their extinction scientifically match the dates that hunters where in that area.
“Whether coincidentally or not, that date is identical, within experimental error, to the date of Clovis Hunters’ arrival in the Grand Canyon area. (Page 47)
5. What argument about the mass extinction of large mammals does Diamond argue against?
He argues the theory of the mass extinction happening because of the last Ice Age. “The Americas’ big mammals had already survived the ends of 22 previous Ice Ages. Why did most of them pick the 23rd to expire in concert, in the presence of all those supposedly harmless humans?” (Page 47)
6. Why was the first occupation of Australia important?
Because that way people could get around through the use of watercraft. “Thus, the occupation of Australia / New Guinea is momentous in that it demanded watercraft and provides by far the earliest evidence of their use in history.” (Page 41)
Chapter 2: “A Natural Experiment of History”
1. Diamond argues that examining Polynesia helps the reader see what?
Environmental influences on human societies. “What can we learn from all of Polynesia about environmental influences on human society?” (Page 57)
2. How did the Moriori avoid conflict?
By not fighting back and trying to
Chapter 1: “Up to the Starting Line” 1. When did the history of humans begin?
Around 50,000 years ago. “Human history at last took off around 50,000 years ago...” (Page 39)
2. Humans developed on what continent?
Humans developed in Africa. “…, indicates that the earliest stages of human evolution were also played out in Africa.” (Page 36)
3. The Giant Leap forward occurred when?
Around the time human history started, 50,000 years ago.
“Human History at last took off around 50,000 years ago, at the time of what I have termed our Great Leap Forward. (Page 39)
4. How does Diamond explain the mass extinction of large mammals in some areas?
He explains the existence first and then explains how the dates of their extinction scientifically match the dates that hunters where in that area.
“Whether coincidentally or not, that date is identical, within experimental error, to the date of Clovis Hunters’ arrival in the Grand Canyon area. (Page 47)
5. What argument about the mass extinction of large mammals does Diamond argue against?
He argues the theory of the mass extinction happening because of the last Ice Age. “The Americas’ big mammals had already survived the ends of 22 previous Ice Ages. Why did most of them pick the 23rd to expire in concert, in the presence of all those supposedly harmless humans?” (Page 47)
6. Why was the first occupation of Australia important?
Because that way people could get around through the use of watercraft. “Thus, the occupation of Australia / New Guinea is momentous in that it demanded watercraft and provides by far the earliest evidence of their use in history.” (Page 41)
Chapter 2: “A Natural Experiment of History”
1. Diamond argues that examining Polynesia helps the reader see what?
Environmental influences on human societies. “What can we learn from all of Polynesia about environmental influences on human society?” (Page 57)
2. How did the Moriori avoid conflict?
By not fighting back and trying to