Europeans have always had a high level of development, making them the first to develop new lands and tools. In the video “Guns, Germs and Steel,” Jared Diamond states that Europeans were “accidental conquerors” (SloBot 3000, 2008). The rationale is that Europeans were the first to master guns, germs, and steel because of their history and geography. Because of this, they were able to conquer and colonize other less-developed civilizations. Gunpowder, as we know it, was invented in China. There are versions according to which it was described as early as the fifth century. But the practical application of gunpowder was created a few centuries later. Its inventors never thought their invention would someday become a destructive weapon. Gunpowder was used for festivals, fireworks, and other fun things. This lasted until the invention was discovered in Europe. That’s where they quickly found a whole new use for it. Then the arms industry rapidly evolved up to modern times, when European countries were among the most advanced weapons producers.
The development of weapons, including the Great Geographical Discoveries of the mid-XV – mid-XVII and the initial accumulation of capital in Europe, the exploration of new trade routes and countries and the plundering of newly discovered lands contributed to the development of this process and initiated the creation of the colonial system of capitalism and the formation of the world market. During this period, there was a rapid development of metallurgy. That is, better quality metal was produced, which entailed the development of mechanical engineering. Therefore, European countries once held most of the colonies worldwide. With weapons, steel, and capital, they had to exploit this potential, and conquering first nearby and then distant lands seemed just the right thing to do. Thus, Europeans became unwitting conquerors and, later, colonists, realizing the potential of their weapons and scientific developments.
Reference
SloBot 3000. (2008). Guns, Germs, and Steel Part 7 of 18 [Video]. YouTube.