Supporting standards comprise 35% of the U. S. History Test

25 (C & D)

Supporting Standard (25)The student understands the relationship between the arts & the times during which

they were created.

The Student is expected to:(C) Identify the impact of popular American

culture & the rest of the world over time

Cultural Diffusion

In cultural anthropology and cultural geography, cultural diffusion, as first conceptualized by Leon Frobenius in his 1897/98 publication Der westafrikanische Kulturkreis, is the spread of cultural items—such

as idea, styles, religions, technologies, languages etc.—between individuals, whether within a single culture or from one culture to another. It is distinct from the diffusion of innovations within a single culture. Diffusion

across cultures is a well-attested and also uncontroversial phenomenon. For example, the practice of agriculture is widely believed to have diffused from somewhere in the Middle East to all of Eurasia, less than 10,000 years ago, having been adopted by many pre-existing cultures. Other established examples of diffusion include the

spread of the war chariot and iron smelting in ancient times, and the use of cars and Western business suits in the 20th century.

In cultural anthropology and cultural geography, cultural diffusion, as first conceptualized by Leon Frobenius in his 1897/98 publication Der westafrikanische Kulturkreis, is the spread of cultural items—such

as idea, styles, religions, technologies, languages etc.—between individuals, whether within a single culture or from one culture to another. It is distinct from the diffusion of innovations within a single culture. Diffusion

across cultures is a well-attested and also uncontroversial phenomenon. For example, the practice of agriculture is widely believed to have diffused from somewhere in the Middle East to all of Eurasia, less than 10,000 years ago, having been adopted by many pre-existing cultures. Other established examples of diffusion include the

spread of the war chariot and iron smelting in ancient times, and the use of cars and Western business suits in the 20th century.

Another take

In a very simple definition cultural diffusion is when different cultures are spread into different areas. It is the mixing or blending of different ideas, beliefs,

and innovations from one group to another. Cultural diffusion happens all over the world, from fast food restaurants to new technologies, cultures are

constantly interacting with each other. These interactions lead to cultural diffusion. Cultures can adopt new ideas and use them as they are or they can adapt these foreign ideas to suit their own needs and wants.

In a very simple definition cultural diffusion is when different cultures are spread into different areas. It is the mixing or blending of different ideas, beliefs,

and innovations from one group to another. Cultural diffusion happens all over the world, from fast food restaurants to new technologies, cultures are

constantly interacting with each other. These interactions lead to cultural diffusion. Cultures can adopt new ideas and use them as they are or they can adapt these foreign ideas to suit their own needs and wants.

There are three basic ways that cultural diffusion takes place.

Inter-cultural diffusion can happen in many ways. Migrating populations will carry their culture with them. Ideas can be carried by trans-cultural visitors, such as merchants, explorers, soldiers, diplomats,

slaves, and hired artisans. Technology diffusion has often occurred by one society luring skilled scientists or workers by payments or other inducement. Trans-cultural marriages between two neighboring or

interspersed cultures have also contributed. Among literate societies, diffusion can happen through letters or books (and, in modern times, through other media as well).

1. Direct diffusion is when two cultures are very close to each other, resulting in intermarriage, trade, and even warfare. 2. Forced diffusion occurs when one culture subjugates (conquers or enslaves) another culture and forces its own customs on the conquered people. 3. Indirect diffusion happens when traits are passed from one culture through a middleman to another culture, without the first and final cultures ever being in direct contact.

Inter-cultural diffusion can happen in many ways. Migrating populations will carry their culture with them. Ideas can be carried by trans-cultural visitors, such as merchants, explorers, soldiers, diplomats,

slaves, and hired artisans. Technology diffusion has often occurred by one society luring skilled scientists or workers by payments or other inducement. Trans-cultural marriages between two neighboring or

interspersed cultures have also contributed. Among literate societies, diffusion can happen through letters or books (and, in modern times, through other media as well).

1. Direct diffusion is when two cultures are very close to each other, resulting in intermarriage, trade, and even warfare. 2. Forced diffusion occurs when one culture subjugates (conquers or enslaves) another culture and forces its own customs on the conquered people. 3. Indirect diffusion happens when traits are passed from one culture through a middleman to another culture, without the first and final cultures ever being in direct contact.

The first way is through trade. When various areas of the world trade goods, these goods are incorporated into different cultures where they may not have been before. The goods can be adopted or adapted for use in these new areas. In Ancient times, caravans would travel along the Silk Road to trade items between Asia and Europe. Now, we use planes,

ships, and trains to transport goods around the world.

Warfare can also lead to cultural diffusion. Any time two or more groups come together, cultures can be blended. A major effect of the Crusades was the opening cultural diffusion that took place between Europe and the Middle East as the soldiers traveled.

The last way cultural diffusion takes place is through migration . The mass migration of Irish to America in the 18th and 19th centuries,

led to a increase in Irish culture in North America.

The first way is through trade. When various areas of the world trade goods, these goods are incorporated into different cultures where they may not have been before. The goods can be adopted or adapted for use in these new areas. In Ancient times, caravans would travel along the Silk Road to trade items between Asia and Europe. Now, we use planes,

ships, and trains to transport goods around the world.

Warfare can also lead to cultural diffusion. Any time two or more groups come together, cultures can be blended. A major effect of the Crusades was the opening cultural diffusion that took place between Europe and the Middle East as the soldiers traveled.

The last way cultural diffusion takes place is through migration . The mass migration of Irish to America in the 18th and 19th centuries,

led to a increase in Irish culture in North America.

There can be many positive effects of cultural diffusion. Many cultures have benefited from cultural exchanges. One positive effect of cultural diffusion is when new technologies are shared around the world. Inventions such as the telescope, the printing press, steam engines, cars, and computers have all had big impacts on how people

live in every area of the world. These inventions also increase the rate at which cultural diffusion can take place. Americans come into contact with many different cultures on a daily basis. Our clothing is

often manufactured in other countries and then shipped to the United States, food that we eat has origins in the Caribbean and Asia, and the language that we speak often includes words and phrases from language from other countries. Cultural diffusion happens every day, and will continue to occur due to the fact that new

technology has caused our world to become completely interdependent.  

There can be many positive effects of cultural diffusion. Many cultures have benefited from cultural exchanges. One positive effect of cultural diffusion is when new technologies are shared around the world. Inventions such as the telescope, the printing press, steam engines, cars, and computers have all had big impacts on how people

live in every area of the world. These inventions also increase the rate at which cultural diffusion can take place. Americans come into contact with many different cultures on a daily basis. Our clothing is

often manufactured in other countries and then shipped to the United States, food that we eat has origins in the Caribbean and Asia, and the language that we speak often includes words and phrases from language from other countries. Cultural diffusion happens every day, and will continue to occur due to the fact that new

technology has caused our world to become completely interdependent.  

What Examples can you think of about how American culture has

been diffused throughout the world?

Exporting Democracy

Central & Eastern European democracies

created after World War I

And imposing democracy in

Afghanistan & Iraq

Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan

Saddam Hussein replaced by Dr. Mahamed

al-Jabiri

Exporting American Capitalism

Supporting Standard (25)The student understands the relationship between the arts & the times during which

they were created.The Student is expected to:

(D) Analyze the global diffusion of American culture through the entertainment industry

via various media

Dominican Republic

And even Cuba at the highest level

Any-thing else you can add?

With World Leadership Has Come the Diffusion of American Culture

around the Planet

Fini