Jared Diamond

The arrival of Europeans in the Americas was not an inevitable event, but rather a contingent one shaped by many factors.

The development of agriculture was the most important factor in the rise of civilizations.

The domestication of animals and plants was a key factor in the success of societies.

Technological innovations can spread rapidly among societies, altering their trajectories.

Technology is a key factor in determining the success of a civilization.

The spread of germs and diseases had a profound impact on human societies.

Geography is not destiny.

Epidemic diseases shaped the destinies of human societies throughout history.

The ability to form large, complex societies is a product of environmental conditions.

History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples' environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves.