Cultural Diffusion

The Convergence and Divergence

of Cultures

Focus Activity

• Identify three examples of culture from

other parts of the world that have become

part of American culture

• Identify three examples of culture from

America that have become parts of the

culture of other countries around the world

• Explain in two sentences: What makes an

element of culture attractive to another

culture?

What is convergence of culture?

• Convergence occurs

when two or more

cultures come

together within a

region.

• Examples can

include…

– an idea being shared

from one region to

another

– an invention being

shared from one

region to another

– elements of culture

shared from one

region to another

How would technology create

cultural convergence?• As a class, brain

storm about all types

of technology that

would allow cultures

from around the world

to converge!

• Examples should

have included…

– Computers/internet

– Cell phones

– Television

– Satellites

– Radio

How did the earliest form of

convergence occur between the

Eastern and Western

hemispheres?• The Columbian

Exchange occurred

during European

Exploration of the

“New World” – the

America’s of the

Western hemisphere.

• Named after

Christopher

Columbus discovering

the “New World” in

1492, it refers to the

exchange of plants,

animals, innovations

and diseases.

Cacao (Chocolate)

Corn

Turkey

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Sugar Cane

Cattle

Horses

Coffee Beans

Grains (Wheat)

New World (Americas)Old World (Europe

and Africa)

Diffusion !

Examples of Products spread through the

Columbian Exchange

childhopeuk.orgTobacco

What else is diffused by the

Columbian Exchange?

• Claiming the lands for Europe, the inhabitants were

introduced to European ideas, foods, and DISEASE!

• Native Americans had no immunity for small pox, and

the spread of these germs killed millions.

ncl.ac.uk

Old World

New World

Convergence of Democratic Ideas?

• Ideas about democratic governments

diffused from Europe to the Americas

during the Enlightenment period.

• The American Revolution was a result

of ideas that came from self-

determination, otherwise known

popular sovereignty – self rule from

Europe.

• These ideas would eventually spread

from the American Revolution to the

French Revolution and else where.

Spread of the English Language

• Why has the English language spread so much?

• Answer: Combination of British imperialism and

American economic influence

Global Sports…an example of

Convergence

Soccer, called Football outside

of the United States, is the

world’s most popular

sport…BUT WHY?

Diffused by the British because,

it’s a simple game, with very

little equipment required.

American Pop Culture• Blue Jeans – Originated in the United

States, fashion that has spread around the

worldhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFIiT4OFTZk

• Rap – Form of music originating in the

United States that has spread around the

world• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkIqO_bOYj4

• US Fast-Food Restaurants –

Globalization has spread American

businesses world wide sharing American

food with other regions.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaC00KfzopQ

Processing Activity• On a blank paper, draw a

four-block cartoon sketch of

an example of convergence

that we have discussed in

the powerpoint

• The cartoon should have

dialogue in each box and

should demonstrate the

process of two cultures

coming together

Cartoon Cartoon

Cartoon Cartoon

Focus ActivityAnswer these questions on the

back of the four square:

1. On a scale from 1 to 10 how

would you rate your school spirit?

2. Why would you give yourself

this rating?

3. Why do some kids have great

school spirit and others have very

little?

Focus

Activity

Name:

Date:

Class

Period:

What is divergence of culture?

• Divergence occurs when a culture remains

physically or humanly isolated/separated

from other cultures.

• Sometimes this is by choice

• Examples of divergence include…

– rain forest or desert region cultures being

isolated from large centers of population

– religious groups of people choosing

traditional cultures over globalized culture

Divergence…Protecting

Traditional Culture• Amish – A religious group of people who

immigrated from England to avoid

persecution. Amish believe in maintaining

a traditional way of life in keeping with

their beliefs of god. Thus, they avoid any

modern day technologies – no electricity,

no telephones, no automobiles, no

computers.

Divergence…Protecting Traditional Culture

• Aborigines – Indigeneous people of Australia

who had a difficult time maintaining their

traditional culture due to English colonization.

Divergence…Protecting Traditional Economies

• Masai – Indigenous people of Kenya, Africa

continue to maintain their traditional way of life

and rely on herding cattle.

Divergence…Protecting Traditional Economies

• Indigenous Tribes of South America have continued to

try and maintain a separate life from the outside world,

preferring to keep traditional tribal culture and live

nomadically off the land.

Focus Activity Processing Activity 1-7

Processing Activity 8-14 Name:

Date:

Class Period:

The Convergence and Divergence of Cultures

Convergence occurs when two or more cultures come together within a region

Examples:

– Ideas, inventions or elements of culture being shared from one region to another

Technology create cultural convergence

– Computers/internet

– Cell phones

– Television

– Satellites

– Radio

The earliest form of convergence

Columbian Exchange- European Exploration of the “New World” – the America’s of the Western hemisphere.

Claiming the lands for Europe, the inhabitants were introduced to European ideas, foods, and DISEASE

Democratic governments diffused from Europe to the Americas during the Enlightenment period

Divergence occurs when a culture remains physically or humanly isolated/separated from other cultures

Cultures being isolated from large centers of population

- religious groups of people choosing traditional cultures over globalized culture

- Amish believe in maintaining a traditional way of life in keeping with their beliefs of god

- Aborigines- Indigenous people of Australia

- Masai – Indigenous people of Kenya, Africa

Processing ActivityPredict what would happen if….

A. The Amish were given cell

phones

B. The Aborigines were told

they couldn’t hunt anymore

C. The Masai were given

modern technology to farm

and build homes

D. The indigenous tribes of

South America were forced

to learn Spanish or

Portugeuse