Lilly Lutz Blog #22

Guns, Germs, and Steel: Episode 2

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 2. Record your answers to each question by providing as many facts, details, and examples as possible to answer each question.

1. At the time that the Spanish conquistadores invaded the Inca Empire, they were armed with state of the art weaponry. Describe this weaponry.

 Horses that made them appear as half man, half beast, guns, steel swords, and body armor.

2. What is Jared Diamond’s explanation for why the Spanish had advanced to steel swords while Inca’s were still making tools and weapons from bronze? Since Europe was close to the Fertile Crescent, they inherited the 7,000 years of metal technology that had been developed there.  Because of the diversified society that they had, it allowed for specialization. The Spanish devoted their time and effort into producing the longest, strongest, sharpest swords possible. 

3. How did the battle tactics used by the Spanish conquistadors help the small army defeat the  Inca army that outnumbered it by the thousands? The Spaniards begin by startling the Incas, by firing their guns and coming out of their hiding positions on horseback.  As they rode, the conquistadors used their swords to cut, stab, and hack the Incas who were fleeing in panic rather than standing firm. If the Incas known more about this style of fighting, they could have been victorious if they had stood their ground against the Spanish.

4. According to Jared Diamond, what made the Europeans “accidental conquerors”?

Because of the Europeans geographic location and history, they were the first to obtain guns, germs, and steel, therefore they could take over other lesser developed civilizations.