Why do “most writers prefer to say nothing” about Geography? Why does Landes respond that “One must not take that easy way out”? Most writers say nothing because they are unsure of what may have caused the flourishing or lack of development in a zone. This concerns whether or not geography is all that is involved. Writers may also feel biased toward the subject, considering many of the regions come from racial areas. Landes responds because they cannot just ignore the subject or change history. He also states that “today is an age of tropical medicine and high technology.” This means that one should not just assume that the world will develop into an equal society. The world is an unfair arena for many working families. I believe this will not change in future events. List some of the variables and circumstances that contribute to disease (and thus poverty?) in tropical regions. One of the major factors in the spread of diseases is climate. A hot climate can allow pests to live and spread disease; whereas, in winter the pests perish, and the disease rate slows or stops completely. Another factor is the increase in personal hygiene preventing the spread of disease. Healthcare can cause the population to start dying off. If the pharmaceutical companies pay a large amount for the medicine provided and the country pays only a small portion of healthcare, it is unlikely that the country has enough money to qualify to heal the sick population. Many foundations can also cause disease. If people change their habits and way of living, most of the time, it can favor disease and only allow medical personnel to delay the full disease. What does Landes mean that “life in poor climes...is precarious, depressed, brutish”? The spread of disease, the loss of resources, and the natural calamities that occur in poorer climes causes the region to remain destitute. The effects of men on the environment cause nature to change and they cause humans to go unpunished in the light of nature. The people in poorer climes have remained, even while the region does not having enough to support its people. Chapter 2 What factors made Western Europe “far more favorable” than other temperate climatic zones? In western Europe, there listed out many reasons why the region was most favorable due to the climate. These included less parasitic diseases, favorable rainfall for crops and food production, and big livestock for meat and transportation. Among these factors, the livestock allowed them to have a diet rich in dairy and meat. The rainfall also …show more content…
The exceptional inventions in medieval Europe were the water wheel, eyeglasses, and mechanical clock. The water wheel was used for energy purposes allowing Europe to be a power-based civilization. The eyeglasses solved problems for the civilians. It allowed men to work passed the age where they started to lose their eyesight, around forty years of age. Society was helped by having g a dependable instrument, the mechanical clock. The clock brought order and control and allowed for productivity to flow.
Why were “Islam” and China “falling behind” Europe in technology by the 15th century? (54) Islam fell behind due to religious views and technology being thought of as heresy. Religious and scientific views were adopted together for a long time. China would have surpassed Europe if they knew of their potential. Historians believe that a few factors may have hurt their technological development: the bad government, gender relations, and the control of the