Practice question · Multiple choice
What is the central criticism of environmentally determinist accounts such as Guns, Germs, and Steel?
Hints
- If it all had to happen, who is responsible for any of it?
- The framework explains broad patterns well. What does it explain badly?
Show the answer
A. Inevitability quietly excuses what people chose to do
Why
The framework handles the continental pattern well and specific decisions badly, and when it slips, conquest becomes something that happened rather than something that was done. That slide is the objection, and it has force.
Practise Big History and Environmental History
The app has 4 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. History I is free to start.
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