Question: what is steel in guns germs and steel
Answer: The book 's title is a reference to the means by which farm - based societies conquered populations of other areas and maintained dominance , despite sometimes being vastly outnumbered -- superior weapons provided immediate military superiority ( guns ) ; Eurasian diseases weakened and reduced local populations , who had no immunity , making it easier to maintain control over them ( germs ) ; and durable means of transport ( steel ) enabled imperialism .