“Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies”

Diamond claims that countries with wealth and power have historically dominated other inferior countries over the course of time. Diamond points out European countries and their ability to thrive agriculturally, technologically, and financially has allowed them to accumulate great riches. Europeans were also able to domesticate crops and animals at an early stage in their countries development, essentially sustaining their ability to accumulate wealth. This allowed them to replace the hunter-gatherer way of life with a more agricultural lifestyle. Many plants and animals are typically associated with this transition between the nomadic and agricultural lifestyle. Some plants which would typically improve the quality of life include: barley and wheat. These grains are an excellent source of fiber and nutrients. They can easily be sown by hand and require little attention from farmers. Grains can also be stored for extended periods of time. Many animals also contributed to the economic success of the Europeans. Sheep where domesticated for their wool, which was in turn, used to make clothing. Cattle and goats normally produce milk, which is high in protein and can be used to produce other dairy products like cheese. Chickens produced protein rich eggs, which also assisted people geographically. In comparison to other African nations of the time, zebras and loins are difficult animals to domesticate. Plants and animals were used to support people of geographically “lucky” regions. Some animals were used for transportation purposes between countries. Horses, donkeys, and camels were typically used for transportation amongst countries. The interaction between people of different countries led to a flow of goods and information. Many European countries greatly benefited from the exchange of ideas, which led to the development of various technologies. These countries accumulated great riches from the flow of goods. For example, a European country could easily trade a chicken to an African nation in exchange for a diamond. Or perhaps they could trade a camel to a Middle Eastern country in exchange for gold. We also see the trade of goods with Southeastern Asian countries in exchange for spices, which could be used in the homes to prepare food or sold in local marketplaces. The Europeans ability to trade with various countries is the main reason they were able to flourish financially in accumulating great riches, whereas some African nations remained historically poor. 

I agree with Jared Diamond in that geography is the main factor in which counties become rich and powerful through the development of technology; however, I only agree with him to a certain extent. I believe that you do need a suitable geographic location to initially become rich and powerful. If you are doomed to fail from the start, then there is no way you will succeed. Once your country becomes rich and powerful, it becomes the duty of the citizens to continue to develop new technologies and learn to adapt to their surroundings. They must continue to flourish and prosper in order to accumulate such riches and power.

References:
Jared Diamond, “Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies”