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