Advanced Placement World History
Summer reading assignment.
AP World History is a course that quite literally will discuss the history of the entire
world. From the moment we “stood up,” to the modern era, all major human
achievements will be discussed. In order to cover this much material, it will be vital
for you to do one simple thing - read. Over the summer you will be required to read
Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel. This book will be a fantastic introduction to
the topics and themes that we will discuss throughout the year. The book looks to
answer a question we have all asked ourselves: “Why are some societies better off
than others?” This question is one that is very, very deep and one that has a variety
of answers. In essence, Diamond will take you on a journey of discovery in which
you will learn what events, technologies, and ideas laid the base for our world today.
Now some basic requirements:
1. You are not required to read the entire book (although feel free to do so).
There are specific chapters that you must read and questions that you will
have to answer.
2. All questions must be answered in complete sentences and spelling and
grammar will be a factor in your grade.
3. This assignment will be worth a total of 100 points.
4. You will be graded on the completeness of your answers and how you USE
the book to support the ideas you present.
5. You may NOT write in the book I provide you. Doing this will require you to
pay a fine to replace the book.
6. This assignment must be typed and “shared” with me via Google Doc.
7. Plagiarism: Not a good idea. Not only will you receive a zero on the
assignment, but also you will be subject to school discipline.
8. THE ASSIGNMENT WILL BE DUE THE FIRST FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 5TH) OF
THE SCHOOL YEAR! LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Why am I doing this?
1. I am not doing this to punish you.
2. In AP World History reading is crucial, and you must get into the correct
frame of mind to read on a consistent level.
3. The questions are being used to help you learn how to analyze documents
and historical events. “Knowing” when an event occurred and the specific
details of the event are not enough. You must learn how to interpret the
IMPACT of the event in the short and long term.
4. We will be discussing a tremendous amount of history this year. Reading
this book will give you an excellent base of knowledge to work off of, and
it will give you the tools to have a greater understanding of the ideas that
we will be discussing.
5. Finally, it’s a great book and I do think you will enjoy it.
THE ASSIGNMENT: Please answer the following questions.
1. Prologue: Yali’s Question
a. Explain the implications of the question Yali asks. Use evidence from
the chapter to support your ideas.
b. How does Diamond explain how people perceive each other as
“stupid”?
c. How did people “answer” Yali’s question in the past? How does
Diamond address these misconceptions?
2. Chapter 2: A Natural Experiment in History
a. In reviewing the events surrounding the Maori attack and takeover of
the Moriori people, identify and explain THREE themes that show why
these events occurred.
b. Using concrete examples from the chapter, explain at least six
environmental factors that shaped the variations between Polynesian
societies.
3. Chapter 3: Collision at Cajamarca
a. Using material from the chapter, explain, in depth, how Pizarro was
able to capture Atahualpa and usher the end of the Incas with only
168 men.
b. What does this event tell us about the course of history at a
worldwide level?
4. Chapter 4: Farmer Power
a. Using the chart on page 87, what is necessary for a society to develop
prior to developing advanced technology and political/economic
system? Why are these “things” necessary?
b. Using specific example from the text, write 3-4 paragraphs on the
overall impact of farming and the domestication of livestock on
human development.
5. Chapter 6: To Farm or Not to Farm
a. Technically “hunting-gathering” was incredibly successful. Please
explain the FIVE factors that transitioned us from hunter-gatherers to
farmers and people who lived in one place.
6. Chapter 9: Zebras, Unhappy Marriages and the Anna Karenina Principle
a. Explain how the Anna Karenina Principle applies to livestock.
b. Why are so few animals able to be domesticated? What do you “need”
in order to domesticate an animal?
7. Chapter 10: Spacious Skies and Tilted Axes
a. Identify the general pattern of the spread of food production across
the different parts of the world.
b. Compare and contrast the spread of agriculture along the east-west
axis of Eurasia to that of the north-south axes of Africa and the
Americas. Pay special attention to geographical features and overall
impacts of the differences/similarities.
8. Chapter 11: The Lethal Gift of Livestock
a. Explain how agriculture and animal domestication led to the
abundance of diseases that have impacted people.
b. Explain at least three examples of the impact of disease upon the
course of human history.
9. Chapter 12: Blueprints and Borrowed Letters
a. How did our ancient ancestors develop unique (not borrowed)
written languages?
b. Why did writing develop so much later than other human
achievements?
10. Chapter 13: Necessity’s Mother
a. Explain the conditions under which technology is developed. How
does this differ in separate regions across the world?
11. Chapter 14: From Egalitarianism to Kleptocracy
a. Explain the concept of Egalitarianism and how it works within tribal
and band groups.
b. Explain how societies moved or “evolved” from egalitarian to
“kleptocracies.”
12. Epilogue: The Future of Human History as a Science
a. How does Diamond answer Yali’s question? Do you agree or disagree?
Explain.
b. How does Diamond explain how regions that had the “lead” over the
rest of the world lost that lead?