1. SPATIAL DIFFUSION: How do ideas, products, technology, and culture spread?
WG.1.B Trace the spatial diffusion of phenomena SUCH AS the Columbian Exchange or the diffusion of American popular culture and describe the effects on regions of contact
[READINESS STANDARD]
YSLETA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
Alfred L. Kroeber originated the concept of “cultural diffusion.”
Expansion diffusion: an innovation or idea that develops in a source area and remains strong there, while also spreading outward to other areas.
Relocation diffusion: an idea or innovation that migrates into new areas, leaving behind its origin or source of the cultural trait.
Hierarchical diffusion: an idea or innovation that spreads by moving from larger to smaller places, often with little regard to the distance between places, and often influenced by social elites.
Contagious diffusion: an idea or innovation based on person-to-person contact within a given population

2. Which words do you know, and which do you need help with?
Diffusion
Contact
Spread
Lasting Effects
Travel
Trade
Culture
Products
Technology
The concept of a phenomenon spreading through geographic space is considered in many diverse subject areas such as the spread of infectious disease, growth of an urban center, the spread of wildfires, diffusion of innovation, and ripple effects in the natural world. And yet, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of spread remains elusive. "The dynamics by which a phenomenon originally located at one point becomes transferred to another is a question which is as difficult to answer as it is easy to pose" (Cliff et al, 1981 p. 191).

3. How did that happen?
The distribution of ideas, products, culture, disease, technology, innovation, languages and so on across space to other people.

4. Hint…
The distribution of ideas, products, culture, technology, innovation, languages and so on across space to other people.

5. Another hint… McDonald’s originates in the United States
Saudi Arabian citizens travel to the United States.
McDonald’s becomes established in Middle East.
The distribution of ideas, products, culture, technology, innovation, languages and so on across space to other people.

6. This is called “spatial diffusion”
McDonald’s originates in the United States
Saudi Arabian citizens travel to the United States.
McDonald’s becomes established in Middle East.
The distribution of ideas, products, culture, technology, innovation, languages and so on across space to other people.

7. Use the word wall to describe “spatial diffusion.”
McDonald’s originates in the United States
Saudi Arabian citizens travel to the United States.
McDonald’s becomes established in Middle East.
The distribution of ideas, products, culture, technology, innovation, languages and so on across space to other people.

8. Here’s another example
Chocolate originates in Latin America
Columbus travels from Europe to the Americas
Dutch chocolate process makes chocolate the most popular treat in Europe and America.
… you didn’t expect us to leave that out did you?

9. And another … Corn originates in Latin America
Columbus travels from Europe to the Americas
Kellogg’s International sells Corn Flakes world wide.

10. And another … Small pox originates in Egypt and travels to Europe.
Columbus travels from Europe to the Americas
Small pox kills 80-90% of Native Americans exposed.

11. And another … Columbus travels from Europe to the Americas
Slavery originates in Africa, moves to Europe through trade.
Columbus travels from Europe to the Americas
Slavery becomes embedded in agricultural practices in Caribbean and North America.

12. How would you describe “McDonald’s” in this example of spatial diffusion?
McDonald’s originates in the United States
Saudi Arabian citizens travel to the United States.
McDonald’s becomes established in Middle East.
Idea
Product
Culture
Technology
Innovation
Language
Contagion

13. Which can you answer now, and which do you need a hint?
The Columbian Exchange occurred among Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe. What is a lasting effect on Latin America from this exchange?
F Europe left no lasting influence in the area.
G Slavery is still on plantations.
H New products came from Africa that are still used today.
J African cultural influence is evident today.
How has the 2000 year-old route called the Silk Road affected the region of East Asia over time?
A It has caused lasting environmental damage.
B It has become the border of several East Asia nations.
C It has led to the collapse of many early Chinese dynasties.
D It has permitted a significant exchange of culture and goods.

14. Which can you answer now, and which do you need a hint?
The slave trade during the 16th and 17th centuries caused
A continuous conflict between African kingdoms and European traders
B a great increase in wealth among east African kingdoms
C African slaves to be sold primarily in China
D the diffusion of cultures between at least three continents

15. Talk to each other, and then talk to me…
WG.1.B trace the spatial diffusion of phenomena SUCH AS the Columbian Exchange or the diffusion of American popular culture and describe the effects on regions of contact.
How do ideas, products, technology, and culture spread?

16. Resources