Dbq Cultural Diffusion Examples

Scarlett Amandola

An enduring issue is something that continues to occur throughout time. One enduring issue is cultural diffusion. Cultural diffusion refers to the spreading of different ideas and beliefs. Cultural diffusion affects people over time by allowing them to share new technologies and ideas, advancing their ability to grow. Cultural diffusion enables societies to blend and become more familiar with one another. This affects people to grow because they are learning information from others and continuing to use it. The significance of cultural diffusion is illustrated by many historical examples including the Medieval trade routes in the Islamic world, the impact of Islam on the Swahili city states in East Africa, and Japan borrowing

The Map Illustrating Trade Routes in the Medieval Islamic World (document 3) shows all of the trade routes going through the Abbasid dynasty. As a result, traders spread religions such as the case of West Africa where Islam quickly spread throughout the region. Over time, trade and missionaries encouraged the expansion of large Muslim populations in other regions including India, China, and Spain.. The expanse of the Islamic Empire allowed merchants to trade goods and even ideas all the way from China to Europe. Cultural diffusion was spread by Islam’s influence to the Swahili city states through interaction started by trade. Many city states on the eastern coast of Africa participated in an international trade network and became sophisticated in Islamic cultural centers. Over time, city states intensified their small-scale agricultural economies to create surpluses for trading. Swahili people engaged in the Indian Ocean trade. Ibn Battuta was a Muslim and traveled in Asia and Africa. Ibn Battuta visited most of the Islamic world; he describes his observations of Mogadishu, one of the Swahili

He also observed and interacted with government officials. Government officials prayed at a Mosque, which is a Muslim house of worship. High ranking government officials practicing Islam prove religion spread and became very important in places like Mogadishu, a Swahili city state. This shows cultural diffusion because the spread of Islam was important in the Swahili city states and that came from merchants trading leading to cultural diffusion of the religion. Cultural diffusion had a significant impact on Japan. Japan borrowed Buddhism and Confucianism from China. Japan sent appointed officials to China on more than nineteen occasions. These officials brought back information from Tang China to Japan about ideas on religion, government and art.Early Japan wanted to copy China and borrow Confucianism and Buddhism. In the year 710, the first permanent Japanese capital was established in Nara, a city modeled after the Chinese capital. Large Buddhist monasteries were built in the new capital. Japan even borrowed ideas for landscape painting. Japan also borrowed ideas from the government. According to the Taika Reforms of 645 “It is hereby decreed that household registers, tax registers, and rules for allocation and redistribution of land shall be established.” (document 5) Japan borrowed this edict because they wanted to strengthen