Guns, Germs, and Steel Episode 3

1) According to Jared Diamond, what allowed Europeans to develop the power necessary to conquer (take over) large portions of the world? 

Geography helped them have the best animals and crops which led to the development of colonies to conquer the world. The geography also helped them develop guns, germs, and steel.

2) Why were the Europeans who settled the South African cape(tip) so successful? Describe two reasons. 

The climate and temperature made them so successful because the climate and temperature where the same as their homeland (Europe) so they knew how to grow and maintain crops and livestock.

3) How did disease allow the Europeans to conquer the native populations in the Americas and in the African cape? 

The Europeans brought germs to the native populations and the population suffered (mainly smallpox). The Europeans were immune to the disease so they did not get sick but the other populations were newly exposed so they got sick. Also, since its a new disease they didn't know how to treat it.

4)The Europeans who settled the tropical areas of the African continent introduced killer germs to the native populations. However, Europeans also suffered from the effects of germs native to Africa. Describe how native African germs worked against the European settlers. 

The Europeans were used to giving other tribes the diseases but the Europeans got the native germs instead and they were loosing livestock and their lives.

5)How did the native Africans protect themselves from the germs that caused diseases such as Smallpox and Malaria? Give specific examples cited in the film. 

The native Americans developed immunity against Smallpox because they were exposed throughout time. They also developed vaccinations and medications to prevent and cure the sickness. Malaria was spread through infection so they prevented infection. To prevent infection they lived in high, dry areas. Since Africans lived in small areas outbreaks of disease was minimal. The Europeans lived near water so they had a great exposure of Malaria. Mosquitos were the carrier of Malaria and they live in wet/ humid areas.

6)How has the colonization (European take over) of Africa created countries filled with disease? Give specific examples from the film.

The European colonists forced the Africans out of small villages and into large, crowded communities. By creating crowded towns diseases like Malaria spread easily. The disease mutated and the immunity went away and the vaccinations and medications no longer worked. Many people died from the diseases and then new diseases were introduced such as HIV/AIDS and those diseases spread easily because of the close spaces.

7)What is the number one public health problem in Zambia? Who are the people mainly affected by this? 

The number one public health problem was Malaria. It killed many children under the age of 5.

8)How has disease made poverty (poorness) worse in many African countries such as Zambia? 

Disease decreased life expectancy and reduced the average life expectancy to 35 years.The disease affected so many children that the mothers were nursing sick children instead of doing their job for money.

9)According to data from the film, how has Malaria effected the overall growth in Africa over the last 50 years? 

Malaria caused a 1% negative growth each year for the past 50 years and poverty in Africa has grew.

10)Describe how other tropical countries such as Malaysia and Singapore have developed rich economies despite having many of the same geographical and health problems faced by African nations.

The other tropical countries realized what environments the germs grow in and the governments developed their countries away from the germs limiting Malaria and other diseases. Since they weren't concerned with germs they were able to focus on their economy and become rich.