Guns, Germs, & Steel : Essential Factors to Developing a Civilization

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Daisha Todd Mrs. Hatchell AP European History 4 July 2011 Question 5 During my reading of the novel “Guns, Germs, and Steel” written by Jared Diamond I discovered I gathered what he believed to be the most essential factors to developing a civilization. Diamond considered the domestication of animals, immunity, geography, food production, and the discovery and use of steel were the most important factors of the development of a civilization. Although his thesis is very authentic I believe that he left out some factors, which are very essential to the development of cultivation. Some of the elements that I consider are exigent are: political dynamism, religion and philosophy, and language. Religion and philosophy are very essential to development. While reading about the Battle of Cajamarca I learned that religion and philosophy was the cause of the entire war. The Spaniards were a small group, but the fact that their religion was disrespected by the Inca emperor, Atahuallpa, gave them more drive to conquer the Indian army. This showed me that if a town is dedicated to their religion and philosophy that nothing could tear them apart. Religion and philosophy would create a strong foundation for any upcoming civilization, which is why I believe that it is an essential factor. Another important component to building a strong civilization is political dynamism. After conquering the Indian army the Spaniards became very advanced in weapons and transportation. They were advanced because of political power. By the Spaniards leader, Pizarro, having political ties it was easier for him to get access to weapons that the Indians did not have knowledge of. This also allowed them to have access to ships and have the resources they needed to build them. So, with these facts being stated without political power Pizarro would not have been able to take over
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