Now that we have spent a healthy amount of time carefully learning about why the European explorers were able to defeat the Native Americans, think about the following sources of information:
- Jared Diamond’s film: Guns, Germs, and Steel
- Mr. Bolos' presentation on proximate vs. ultimate factors
- Various class notes (posted on the blog by Mrs. Twadell and taken by you in class)
- Class presentations
Based on the sources above, construct a 1-2 page typed coherent and cohesive essay (including an introduction and conclusion) that answers the following question:
Why were the European explorers both able to cross the ocean and defeat the Native Americans (and not the other way around)? Consider both proximate and ultimate factors.
How can we rename the concepts illustrated in Guns, Germs, and Steel (which are proximate causes) to better reflect the importance of ultimate causes?
Instead of GGS (guns, germs, steel),
Think of GAA:
1. Geography
2. Agriculture
3. Animals
Think about proximate versus ultimate factors in answering our focus question: “Why were the Europeans, despite their small numbers, able to conquer the Native Americans?”