Cultural Change

Culture Regions

• Includes diff. countries that share common traits like…?– Language– Economic systems– Forms of govn’t.– Social groups– History– Religion

• From the earliest civilizations, people have organized their common beliefs into religions. There are thousands of religions practiced around the world.

• Which of the religions on the pie chart do you know the most about? Least?

• A recent study reports that half of Americans change their faith at least once. Why do you think that might be?

Cultural Change

• New ideas, lifestyles, and inventions Δ w/in cultures (internal Δs)

• Δ also comes from external influences– Trade, migration, war

This is called cultural diffusion

1) Agricultural Revolution

• Earliest humans were nomads= hunters and gatherers (no fixed home)

• Then they settled in river valleys and plains began farming & had permanent home

• This shift then spread throughout the world’s regions

2) Civilizations

• By 3500 B.C., the farming villages then shifted into civilizations…– Highly organized – City-based– Advanced farming, trade, govn’t, art & science

innovations

• But how did this way of life spread?...

Culture Hearths

• Early centers of civilization

• Ideas & practices spread out from these first

• Where were the most influential culture hearths?

Culture Hearths

• What did those 5 places have in common?– Fertile land from river valleys/water sources

– Made canals/ditches to irrigate land

Allowed ppl to grow surplus crops…

3) Specialization• Surplus food allowed fewer ppl to farm

develop new jobs– Metalworking & shipbuilding more trade

• More trade led to more cities• Now need complex govn’t

– Coordinate harvests, plan projects, manage army

• Able to create writing systems share info.

Cultural Contacts

• Civilizations affect each other when permanent migration occurs– Why do ppl migrate?

• By CHOICE- for better education, jobs, more $• By RELUCTANCE- harsh govn’t, wars, persecution,

famines• By FORCE- slavery, exiled

– Practices & ideas then blend with one another

4) Industrial Revolution

• In 1700s, after centuries of cultural diffusion, countries began to industrialize– Used power-driven machines & factories

economy boost• Faster and cheaper production• Less labor (cost)

– Ppl moved from farms to cities

5) Information Revolution

• At the end of 1900s: computers brought a turning point– Able to store huge amts. of info and share

it all over world instantly this links the cultures even more closely & quickly

Explain how cultural diffusion takes place each day at Clements High School.

What examples of exchange of culture have you experienced so far this school year?

How can cultural diffusion be beneficial to society?How can cultural diffusion be detrimental? Can culture be watered down or ultimately lost? Explain thoroughly!!