Chapter 4 Section 2

Global Cultures

LanguageOne unifying

element of culture is language.

The world’s languages are organized into language families (those that have similar roots)

ReligionIn many cultures,

religious beliefs influence certain aspects of daily life.

Religious symbols and stories have shaped the arts and architecture.

Religious reasons have also been at the root of conflict for many countries.

Religion

Social GroupsCultures have social

systems that include :

- social classes- ethnic groups- families

GovernmentDespite differences,

govts of the world share certain features:

- Maintaining order- Provide defense- Supply public

services

Full presidential republicsPresidential republics

Semi-presidential republics. Parliamentary republics.

Parliamentary constitutional monarchies Parliamentary constitutional monarchies

Absolute monarchies. Single-party state.

EconomicsGeographers study

economics to see how people in different cultures

- Produce- Obtain- Use goods- Sell goods and

services

Cultural RegionsA culture region

generally includes different countries that share certain characteristics:

- Economic systems- Languages- Forms of

government- Social groups

Cultural Change

Agricultural RevolutionAbout 10,000 years

ago, when the climate grew warmer, early nomadic peoples began to grow food rather than hunting and gathering

Cultural HearthsThe world’s 1st

civilizations arose out of present-day

- Egypt- Iraq- Pakistan- China- Mexico

Ideas and practices spread out from these areas.

Specialization and Civilization

As surplus of food rose, some people gave up farming for other activities, like shipbuilding or metal working.

The production of goods for trade led to increased wealth.

Cultural ContactsThrough trade and

travel, people in different civilizations made contacts with one another that promoted cultural change.

Aspects of migrant’s cultures often blended with those natives.

Industrial RevolutionIn 1700 and 1800’s,

ppl began inventing ways to mass produce goods

During the Industrial Rev., millions left their farms to live in cities and work in factories.

Information Revolution

The Info Rev. occurred in late 1900’s as computers made is possible to store info and send it all over the world instantly.