Guns, Germs and Steel (Book)

Nonoy Tan · 11th August 2014, 04:34 AM

Hi Bill,

Obviously, religion had much to do with the outcome. The Spaniards had a religion well suited for conquest, unlike that of those who were conquered. The religion of the natives controlled their way of thinking how they conducted wars - which often defied logic. While the natives waited for the right omen to launch an attack (for example, sound of a sacred bird), the Spaniards were already in an advanced stage of battle preparation.

I too like Diamond's theories, but also think they are too simplistic.

Nonoy

Nonoy Tan · 24th August 2014, 01:03 AM

The role of the Spaniards in the conquest of the Inca, although crucial, was often over-rated. The majority of Inca casualties were likely caused not by the Spaniards but other Indian armies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_21QfGRpg

This is the same experience found in the Philippines, for example, when Manila fell to the large Bisayan armies that accompanied the Spaniards in the 16th century.

11th August 2014, 04:34 AM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Hi Bill, Obviously, religion had much to do with the outcome. The Spaniards had a religion well suited for conquest, unlike that of those who were conquered. The religion of the natives controlled their way of thinking how they conducted wars - which often defied logic. While the natives waited for the right omen to launch an attack (for example, sound of a sacred bird), the Spaniards were already in an advanced stage of battle preparation. I too like Diamond's theories, but also think they are too simplistic. Nonoy

24th August 2014, 01:03 AM	#2
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The role of the Spaniards in the conquest of the Inca, although crucial, was often over-rated. The majority of Inca casualties were likely caused not by the Spaniards but other Indian armies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_21QfGRpg This is the same experience found in the Philippines, for example, when Manila fell to the large Bisayan armies that accompanied the Spaniards in the 16th century.