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Guns, Germs, and Steel: Episode 3
Name:_____________________________ Per: __________
The Power of Germs
Answer the following questions.
1. Most deaths in children under age 5 are due to:
A. infectious diseases and malnutrition
B. premature birth/birth defects
C. accidents
2. True or False: At least 40% of the deaths in children under age 5 that occur worldwide each year could
be prevented by administering existing vaccines to young children.
3. List what you believe are the 5 most deadly infectious diseases worldwide.
Directions: Before viewing the film, read each question below so you know what information and ideas you
should be looking for as you watch Episode 3. Record your answers to each question by providing as many
facts, details, and examples as possible to answer each question.
1. According to Jared Diamond, what is the one factor that allowed Europeans to develop the forces necessary
to conquer vast portions of the world?
2. Why were the Europeans who settled the South African cape so successful? Describe two reasons.
3. How did disease allow the Europeans to conquer the native populations in the Americas and in the African
cape?
4. How has the colonization of Africa created countries riddled with disease? Give specific examples from the
film.
5. The railroad built by the colonizers had great impact. How was the railroad bot a negative and a positive in
Africa?
6. What is the number one public health problem in Zambia, and who are the people primarily affected by this?
7. How has disease contributed to the poverty in many African countries such as Zambia?
8. According to statistics from the film, how has Malaria affected the net growth in Africa over the last 50
years?
Now that you have viewed the film, learn more about Smallpox and Malaria and how these diseases effected the
development of world powers. Access this information at
www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/variables/smallpox.html and
www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/variables/malaria.html and answer questions 9 and 10.
9. Now that you have read “The Story of Smallpox and Other Eurasian Germs”, describe what you have learned
about Smallpox including the causes, symptoms, means for spreading the disease, and how immunity to the
disease can be developed.
Causes:
Symptoms:
Means for spreading disease:
Developing immunity:
10. After reading “The Story of Malaria and Other Deadly Tropical Germs”, what are some of the effective,
simple, relatively inexpensive ways to prevent the spread of diseases such as Malaria? In your opinion, why are
these options not being used more widely by African nations? Explain.