Diamond's message regarding this conflict is complex and multifaceted, but here's a breakdown of key points:
* Environmental Determinism: Diamond argues that the geographical differences between the islands of New Zealand (where Māori lived) and the Chatham Islands (where Moriori lived) significantly impacted the development of their respective societies. He points out that the rich resources and diverse environment of New Zealand allowed for the development of a more advanced and competitive Māori culture, while the smaller and less fertile Chatham Islands limited Moriori's technological and social advancement.
* Impact of Resources and Technology: Diamond emphasizes the role of resources and technology in shaping societal structures and interactions. He argues that the Māori, equipped with advanced weaponry and larger population size, had a significant advantage over the Moriori when they first encountered them.
* Consequence of Cultural Differences: Diamond highlights the stark contrast in cultural values between the two groups. Māori practiced warfare and conquest, while Moriori embraced peaceful co-existence and pacifism. This difference in ideology played a crucial role in the outcome of the conflict, with the Māori ultimately dominating the Moriori.
* Critical Perspective on Colonialism: While not explicitly stated, Diamond's exploration of the Māori-Moriori conflict implicitly critiques the colonial narrative of "civilized" Europeans encountering "primitive" indigenous peoples. He demonstrates that cultural and technological differences, often shaped by environmental factors, can lead to disparities in power and conflict.
Overall, Diamond's message is a nuanced one, emphasizing the complex interplay of environment, resources, technology, and cultural values in shaping societal development and the outcomes of intergroup interactions. While he acknowledges the impact of geographical factors, he doesn't completely endorse environmental determinism. He also avoids portraying the conflict as a simple story of "savage" victors and "peaceful" victims. Instead, Diamond presents a more complex and balanced perspective on the historical encounter between the Māori and Moriori people.