Geographic Determinism

1
Geographic Determinism

• The Foundation Period of World History

2
Environmental Determinism

• Genetics vs. Environment
• Escaping Eurocentrism
• Studying History as a Science
• Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
• Student Drawing of Early Man (Cro-Magnon)
• Features, misconceptions, tools,
• Using Interactive Notebook (TCI History Alive)
• Omega 3 influence on development
• 50,000 years ago, where is man located
• Eve Genetic theory
• How did we get to where we are?

3
Domestication of Plants

• Plants available for domestication
• 56 large-seed grass species
• 32 located in Mediterranean-wheat, barley,
• 6 located in East Asia-rice varieties
• 4 located in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 11 located in Americas-maize
• 2 located in Australia-(Macadamia nut)

4
Domestication of Animals

• Animals available for domestication
• 72 species available (weight over 100 lbs.)
• 13 (32) located in Eurasia18 of available
• 1(24) located in America4--Extinction
  (Neolithic)
• 0 (51) located in Sub-Saharan Africa0
• 0 (1) located in Australia0--Extinction
  (Neolithic)

5
Requirements of Animal Domestication

• Diet humans can supply
• Rapid growth rate 100 lbs.
• Ability to breed in captivity
• Tractable disposition
• Submissive social structure
• Do not panic when enclosed (fence)

6
East-West Axis vs North-South Axis

• East-West axis has same latitude
• Small climatic variation
• Facilitates idea diffusion
• North-South axis has varying latitudes
• Creates varying climates
• Changes survival needs of plants and animals

7
Spread of Food and Animals

• Chickens, rice and citrus fruit
• ChinagtEurope
• Horses
• UkrainegtChina Fertile CrescentgtEurope
• Sheep, goats, cattle, wheat and barley
• Fertile CrescentgtEast West

8
Spreading Diseases from Animals

• Measles---Dog
• Influenza---Pig
• Smallpox Tuberculosis---Cow
• 95 of Pre-Columbian Native American population
  exterminated
• Malaria---Chickens/birds
• Recent Avian Flu outbreaks in SE Asia