Cultural Diffusion

Spatial Exchange

● Processes of spatial exchange (diffusion), have influenced events in the past and continue to shape the presento Diffusion - how something diffuses or spreads

● Can be applied to many things:o ideas, technology, products, diseases, religions

Cultural Diffusion

● The spread of ideas, goods, technologies, and cultural traits from one society to another

● Is a major cause of change within societies

Cultural DiffusionExamples:● Spread of technologies like cell phones and the internet● Religion

o Christianity & Islam started in neighboring areas and now have spread throughout the globe to become the world’s 1st and 2nd largest religions

● Food ● Fashion● American pop culture

Columbian Exchange

Columbian Exchange

● refers to the widespread exchange of plants, animals, ideas, diseases and cultural characteristics between Europe and the Americas following Columbus’ voyage in 1492

● often referred to as exchange between Old World and New Worldo Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere

Cultural Convergence● Cultural diffusion today is leading to cultural

convergence on a global scale, creating a common culture.o “to converge” - to come together and join

● Exampleso “Latin American” cultureo democratic ideaso English as the international language of businesso technologies such as cell phones, tvs, and interneto global sports

Cultural Divergence

● Cultural diffusion can also lead to cultural divergence - or separating of cultureso “to diverge” - to separate

● Examples:o Roman Empireo Aryan India

Historical Change

Historical Change

Many of the changes that the world and its people have gone through during its history have been caused or aided by geography. Some reasons are:● changes in physical and human geography● cultural diffusion● trade● conflict - internal & international● changes in transportation and energy● technological developments

Bering Land Bridge

Genocide

● the mass killing of an ethnic group, often with the intention of extermination

● Examples:o Holocaust o Hutus vs. Tutsis in Rwandao Khmer Rouge

● What about us? Native Americans, Japanese

Terrorism

● the use of violence and intimidation driven by a political goal

● Examples:o 9/11 attackso 1972 Olympics in Municho 1995 Oklahoma City bombingo cartel terrorism

Technological Innovation

● Technology - the use of materials, tools, and skills to meet human needs

Technological Innovation

● Refers to the development of new technologieso Information Technologieso GIS (Geographic Information Systems) - merges

mapmaking and database technologieso GPS (Global Positioning System)o Air Conditioningo Travelo Medicines

Desalinization

Process of heating and cooling salt water in order to separate the salt and make fresh water.● used to provide otherwise arid areas with

fresh water for human consumption and irrigation, examples:o Israel - desert area next to Mediterranean Sea, 40% of

its water is desalinated o El Paso, TX - one of the world’s largest desalinization

plants