The Spread of Ideas
An image shows a view of a city in Morocco.
Ideas and practices spread both within civilizations and to other civilizations.
Ideas and practices spread from one civilization to another. This process is called cultural diffusion. For example, medieval Europe adopted the numeral system from Islamic civilization. Europeans began to use the numbers 1, 2, 3 . . . rather than the Roman numerals of I, II, III.
Between 500 and 1500, many civilizations developed around the world. Each civilization experienced growth in their own unique way. Some developed through trade. Others advanced through new inventions. Many of these civilizations had a strong religious foundation.
For this portfolio, you will investigate the development of two civilizations that developed between the years of 500 and 1500. You should choose civilizations that developed somewhere other than Europe (e.g., in Africa, Asia, or the Americas). You will describe factors that affected the growth of each civilization. If the civilizations had contact, you will also consider how the civilizations impacted or influenced each other.
Objectives
Create a timeline of significant developments of two civilizations
Summarize how the characteristics of one civilization affected another civilization
1. Timeline of Significant Developments:
Civilization 1: Aztec Empire (1428-1521)
- 1325: Founding of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire
- 1376-1395: Reign of Acamapichtli, the first ruler of the Aztec Empire
- 1440-1469: Reign of Moctezuma I, known for expanding the Aztec Empire through conquest
- 1487: Construction of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan
- 1519-1521: Conquest of the Aztec Empire by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés
Civilization 2: Song Dynasty (960-1279)
- 960-976: Reign of Emperor Taizu, founder of the Song Dynasty
- 1046-1067: Reign of Emperor Renzong, known for his sponsorship of Neo-Confucianism
- 1085: Invention of movable type printing by Bi Sheng
- 1087-1100: Construction of the Imperial Palace in Kaifeng, the capital of the Song Dynasty
- 1279: Conquest of the Song Dynasty by the Mongolian Empire
2. How the Characteristics of one Civilization Affected Another Civilization:
The Aztec Empire and the Song Dynasty both had significant impacts on each other in terms of their cultural diffusion and influence.
- Cultural Diffusion from the Aztec Empire to the Song Dynasty:
The Aztec Empire was known for its advanced agricultural practices, such as terracing and chinampas (artificial islands used for farming). These practices were highly efficient and productive, resulting in a surplus of food. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Aztec Empire, they witnessed these agricultural methods and later introduced them to the world, including the Song Dynasty through their trade routes. The introduction of these advanced agricultural techniques greatly benefited the Song Dynasty, improving the productivity of their own agriculture and ultimately leading to population growth.
- Cultural Diffusion from the Song Dynasty to the Aztec Empire:
The Song Dynasty in China was renowned for its advancements in technology and inventions. One such invention was movable type printing, which allowed for mass production of books and texts. This dissemination of knowledge and ideas greatly influenced the Aztec Empire when European explorers and missionaries arrived. They brought with them European books and texts, which were printed using movable type. The Aztec Empire learned about European advancements in various fields such as astronomy, mathematics, and navigation. This exchange of knowledge helped the Aztec Empire in expanding their understanding and adapting to new technologies.
Overall, cultural diffusion played a vital role in how these two civilizations impacted each other. Through trade, contact, and the transfer of ideas and practices, both the Aztec Empire and the Song Dynasty were influenced and shaped by one another, allowing for the advancement and growth of their respective civilizations.