Guns, Germs, and Steel: Episode 1

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Warm up questions

• Why do you think in the year 1969, the United States sent a man to the moon and the Waodani were still living in the Stone Age?

• What are some of the differences between the culture in the United States and the Waodani culture?

Guns, Germs, and Steel: Episode 1 Directions: Before viewing the film, read each question below so you know what information and ideas you should be looking for as you watch Episode 1. Record your answers to each question by providing as many facts, details, and examples as possible to answer each question. Be prepared to discuss your answers with the class. 1) According to Jared Diamond, what are the three major elements that separate the world’s” haves” from the “have not’s”?

2) Jared Diamond refers to the people of New Guinea as “among the world’s most culturally diverse and adaptable people in the world”, yet they have much less than modern Americans. Diamond has developed a theory P a g e | 2

about what has caused these huge differences among different countries, and he says it boils down to geographic luck. Please give two specific facts from the film to support Diamond’s theory of geographic luck. (At this time you do not have to provide elaboration for your facts)

3) During what period in history did Professor Diamond believe there was equality between all humans? ______

4) What area of the world was thriving after the Ice Age? ______

5) What are the problems with hunting? ______

6) What are the problems with Saco Trees? ______7) What were the first two plants to be collected, stored, dried, and farmed? ______8) What did the archeological site in Middle East reveal about the early people living there? ______P a g e | 3

9) What did the video consider the decisive point in human history? ______10) What are the problems with taro root? ______

11)Why didn’t agriculture in New Guinea lead to civilization like it did other parts of the world? Please include two reasons in your answer. ______

12) What were the first animals to be domesticated? ______

13) What are three ways humans used domesticated animals? 1. ______2. ______3. ______14) What are the best animals to domesticate? ______P a g e | 4

______15)According to Diamond, livestock also plays a significant role in a civilization’s ability to become rich and powerful. How did the domestication of animals help people? Please give and explain 2 reasons in your answer. (Please use bullets to answer this question.)

16) Why are elephants not farmed in Asia? ______17) Why were Zebras not domesticated? ______18) Define Domesticate ______

19)What domesticated animals were native to the Middle East? ______20)How did animals geographically bless the Middle East ? Give 2 examples in your answer.

Topic Sentence

First and Second Examples P a g e | 5

Two Sentences of Elaboration about the Example

Conclusion Sentence

21) What technology would transform the world? Explain why? ______22)What is a Food Surplus

______23) Why didn’t new technologies and specialist develop in New Guinea? Be sure to give two examples in your answer. ______P a g e | 6

24) What did Egypt, Europe, and the New World have in common with the Fertile Crescent? Be sure to explain how this was helpful. ______

______

25. Why was it important for farmers, who left the Fertile Crescent, to migrate east and west, rather than north and south? ______

26.What was Jared Diamond’s answer to why there is inequality in the World? ______

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27.Using evidence from Is the West History? article does Professor Niall Ferguson’s agree or disagree with Professor Diamond’s explanation to why there is inequality in the World? Be sure to give two examples or reasons that support your opinion. P a g e | 7

28. According to Jared Diamond, geography is the determining factor in determining a country’s wealth. Why does he believe geography is the determining factor? Please state and explain three facts that support this view in your answer.