Lecture Notes: Historical Causes of Diffusion

Introduction

• Channel: Mr. Sin Channel
• Topic: Reviewing historical causes of diffusion
• Key Concepts: Acculturation, assimilation, creolization, diaspora, and the impact of migration, war, and trade on diffusion.

Definitions

• Diffusion: The process by which cultures, ideas, goods, services, and religions spread.
• Acculturation: When a group adopts certain traits from another group after coming into contact.
• Assimilation: Adoption of a dominant culture by a minority group, often leading to loss of the original culture.
• Creolization: The blending of two or more cultures to create a new, distinct culture.
• Lingua Franca: A common language understood by people with different native languages.
• Diaspora: Dispersion of people from their original homeland.

Historical Causes of Diffusion

Colonial Era

• Colonialism & Imperialism: Spread of religions, languages, and cultures.
  • Example: Spanish settlers in the Caribbean, French in Louisiana, leading to creolization.
  • Creation of Creole people - a mix of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• British Empire: Spread of English, which became a globally dominant lingua franca.

Migrations

• Missionaries: Spread religions and cultures by relocating globally.
• Atlantic Slave Trade: Forced relocation of over 12 million enslaved people.
  • Resulted in cultural and demographic changes in Africa and the new world.
  • Created diasporas and led to the diffusion of languages and cultures.
• Impact of War:
  • World War II: Forced migration for safety.
  • Cold War: Diffusion of Western and Eastern ideals, influencing global political alignments.

Military Influence

• US Military Bases: Global presence in Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia spreads American culture and language.

Trade

• Global Trade: Introduction of new goods, ideas, and cultures through trading networks.
  • Colombian Exchange: European diet changed with new foods from the Americas (e.g., potatoes).
  • Silk Road: Exchange of inventions and products between Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Europe.

Conclusion

• Impact of Diffusion: Introduction of new ideas, cultures, goods, and services reshapes societies.
• Call to Action: Practice learned concepts and explore additional resources for further study.

• Additional Resources: Mr. Sin’s subscription and review packet for AP Human Geography studies.