Diamond, Collision @ Cajamarca

Quotes about Human History

• Thomas M. Disch: Advocates for a Darwinian approach to understanding human history.

• Christopher Ehret: Praises Jared Diamond's engaging exploration of history, prompting re-evaluation of societal roles and geographical placement.

• Bruce D. Smith: Highlights the integration of diverse academic fields to explain the varied developmental paths of human societies over the past 13,000 years.

• Luca Cavalli-Sforza: Critiques traditional racist answers regarding societal divergence, promoting Diamond's multi-disciplinary explanations.

Guns, Germs, and Steel: Overview of Societal Development

• Development of societies was influenced by the availability of resources such as metal deposits.

• Eurasia's advancement included established empires, while Polynesia developed minimally due to limited resources:

  • Polynesia lacked significant metal deposits (except New Zealand).

  • Writing emerged in Mesoamerica but not in Polynesia outside rare instances like Easter Island.

• Societal evolution is contingent upon environmental factors; Polynesia serves as a limited example.

Chapter 3: Collision at Cajamarca

Historical Context

• Colonization of the New World by Europeans initiated significant population shifts and the often devastating impact on Native American groups.

• The New World’s initial colonization occurred over 11,000 years ago, mainly through the Bering Strait.

• The isolation of societies in the Americas led to unique developments without external influence.

Encounter at Cajamarca (November 16, 1532)

• Meeting between Inca emperor Atahuallpa and Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro.

• Pizarro’s group consisted of only 168 soldiers versus Atahuallpa’s unarmed 80,000.

• Pizarro captured Atahuallpa swiftly, holding him for ransom with significant gold payment but later executed him after receiving the ransom.

• Pizarro's actions demonstrated the advantages of European weapons and military strategy.

Spanish Advantages

• Spaniards utilized steel weapons, horses, and guns that provided a decisive edge in battle.

• Psychological effects of European technology overwhelmed Native American forces during encounters.

• Example confrontation: Battle at Cajamarca saw 168 Spaniards defeat and kill thousands of Incas without suffering casualties.

The Role of Disease in Conquest

• Epidemics like smallpox weakened indigenous populations, significantly aiding Spanish conquests.

• The unpreparedness of Native Americans against European diseases contributed to their decline (estimated 95% population loss).

• Comparison of disease impact on different regions illustrates broader themes of colonization and resistance.

Technological and Institutional Factors

• Pizarro's actions were facilitated by:

  • European maritime technology that enabled cross-continental movements.

  • Centralized political organizations in European states supporting expeditions.

  • Presence of written language aiding communication and strategic planning.

Naivety and Miscalculation by Atahuallpa

• Atahuallpa's ignorance of Spanish military capability led to his downfall.

• Miscommunication and lack of immediate information about Spaniards affected his response.

• Historical pattern: Other leaders like Montezuma experienced similar miscalculations regarding European intentions and capabilities.

Final Analysis of the Collision at Cajamarca

• Pizarro's success highlights the interplay of immediate factors:

  • Military technology (guns, steel, horses).

  • Diseases reducing Native American numbers.

• The central question remains as to why Europeans possessed these advantages over the Incas, a topic to be further explored in subsequent chapters.