Question

According to Diamond, what contributed to the Maya collapse?

A. Warfare over fewer resources which further reduced land available for farming
B. Deforestation and hillside erosion reducing the amount of useable farmland
C. Maya kings and nobles failing to recognize and solve these long-term problems undermining their society
D. The most severe drought Maya peoples had experienced
E. Population growth outstripping available resources

Answer 1

The collapse of the Maya civilization was influenced by deforestation, erosion, warfare over resources, population growth, severe drought, and the failure of Maya rulers to address long-term issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Diamond, the collapse of the Maya civilization was influenced by multiple factors, including:

1. Deforestation and hillside erosion: These environmental issues resulted in a reduction of usable farmland, making it harder for the Maya to sustain their population.
2. Warfare over fewer resources: As resources became scarce, conflicts broke out among city-states, further reducing the available land for farming.
3. Population growth outstripping available resources: The rapid growth of the Maya population increased the demand for food and put pressure on agricultural yields, which contributed to disorder, war, and possible internal revolts.
4. The most severe drought Maya people experienced: The Maya civilization faced a series of debilitating droughts, leading to the failure of crops and exacerbating the challenges caused by environmental degradation.
5. Maya kings and nobles failing to recognize and solve long-term problems: The rulers of Maya city-states did not effectively address the environmental and resource challenges, leading to the undermining of their society.

These factors combined to contribute to the collapse of the Maya civilization during the Classic period.