National Geographic: Guns, Germs and Steel. Episode 2: Conquest. (2005)

The second episode of the Guns, Germs, and Steel documentary is titled “The Rise and Spread of Food Production“. In this episode, the focus shifts to the development and spread of agriculture, which is a central theme in understanding the growth of human societies. Here are the key points covered in this episode: 1. The Origins of Agriculture: The episode explores how agriculture emerged independently in several parts of the world, beginning around 10,000 years ago. It examines how the domestication of plants and animals allowed certain societies to shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled, agricultural way of life. The episode looks at regions where agriculture developed naturally, such as the Fertile Crescent (modern-day Iraq, Syria, and parts of Turkey), China, the Americas, and Africa. It discusses why these regions were particularly suitable for the domestication of crops like wheat, barley, and rice, as well as animals like goats, sheep, and cattle. 2. Geographic and Environmental Factors: The documentary argues that the geography and environment of a region played a significant role in determining whether a society could transition to agriculture. Some areas had a natural abundance of edible plants and domesticable animals, while others lacked these resources. The episode discusses how some areas of the world were geographically isolated, which affected the spread of agricultural techniques and domesticated species. For example, the East-West axis of Eurasia (compared to the North-South axis of Africa and the Americas) allowed for easier diffusion of crops and animals across large areas, leading to faster societal development. 3. The Spread of Agricultural Knowledge: The episode also covers how agricultural practices spread from region to region. As societies developed agriculture, they became more complex, creating surpluses of food, which led to population growth and the rise of cities. The knowledge of farming spread through trade and migration, and people learned to domesticate new crops and animals in different regions. This spread of agricultural knowledge helped create the foundations for complex societies. 4. The Impact on Societies: The episode highlights the dramatic shift that agriculture caused in human societies. With a steady food supply, societies could support larger populations and develop social hierarchies, writing systems, and technological advancements. However, this episode also touches on the consequences of agriculture, such as the rise of inequality. The control of land and resources led to the emergence of elites, which in turn contributed to social stratification and conflict. 5. Domestication of Animals: A significant part of the episode focuses on the domestication of animals, which was key to the development of agriculture. The domestication of animals provided not only food but also labor for tasks like plowing and transportation. The episode discusses why only certain species of animals were domesticated and how these animals (like cows, horses, and pigs) contributed to the growth of agricultural societies. This episode sets the stage for further discussions on how food production and the domestication of plants and animals allowed some societies to develop advanced technologies and military power, laying the groundwork for the development of complex civilizations. #documentary #nationalgeographic #history #pbs