Historical Equivalent of "Change Culture"?

[Khezef]

Is this just a gamey mechanic or did real rulers do something to change the culture of conquered lands that was this quick?

 

[Freudia]

Genocide.

Alternatively, abstracted as just replacing the ruling elite's culture with that of your own. Pick whichever one makes you feel better.

 

[KPJ]

It certainly wasn't quick, but Occitan is a language no longer really spoken largely, and Occitan culture is mostly absorbed into French. Nova Scotia (Acadia) was originally a French province, but the British expelled the French (Cape Breton was less successful). Similarly in the city of Montreal the British 'planted' Scottish and Irish immigrants to dilute the Catholic/French population, and it is still today known as the English (language) Island in Province of Quebec. You could also say the Spanish converted the culture of the Aztecs by destroying and rebuilding their cities, as well as intermarrying with their nobility; though in this case it created a unique Mexican culture moreso than spreading Spanish culture. Also, I'm not sure of the mechanics but culture groups did certainly reduce in their size in the Russian Empire, where there were active 'Russification' programs and certainly today the Tatars and many other ethnic groups occupy smaller territory or co-exist with Russian-culture cities.

 

[TheChronoMaster]

Culture and ethnicity aren't necessarily a 1:1 either, it's abstract -- an Arab who was raised to speak English, in a primarily English environment, would likely consider himself more 'English' than 'Arabic'. That's my interpretation, at least -- you're forcing the elite institutions and cultural leaders to teach your language, use your laws, and defer to your customs, which will then become normalized over time. This is also why you can't convert a province's culture when it has 'nationalism'.

 

[TimurLank]

I think there was already several discussions about this and conclusion is that it's not shifting culture for entire population , but just the elite that manages province - hence larger taxes, etc after you convert it.

 

[aitaituo]

I think there was already several discussions about this and conclusion is that it's not shifting culture for entire population , but just the elite that manages province - hence larger taxes, etc after you convert it.

In every thread about culture there's at least a half dozen people who say this and just as many saying culture is not only the elites in a province.

The real conclusion is that there is no word of god on what provincial culture exactly represents and there is no word of god on how culture change works. Everything is just speculation trying to make a highly abstract game mechanic reflect anything.

 

[rojiru]

The best example I can think of is the aftermath of the Graeco-Turkish wars in the 19th century, in which millions of greeks were transferred out of anatolia. Another reason why many anatolian provinces should still have greek culture...but...anyways...

 

[jadefluegel]

I've heared the Teutonic Order have changed the Old Preussen to Preussen.
Is it what you said?

 

[Alerias]

Everything from voluntary migration and assimilation to genocide.

The idea is that culture changes do occur one way or the other, and given it costs power, I think the costs are fine for the small benefit. In fact its probably the least powerful way to use DIP.

 

[oblio-]

In every thread about culture there's at least a half dozen people who say this and just as many saying culture is not only the elites in a province.

The real conclusion is that there is no word of god on what provincial culture exactly represents and there is no word of god on how culture change works. Everything is just speculation trying to make a highly abstract game mechanic reflect anything.

That's because Paradox is not consistent with their own policy. They say that it should represent ruling elites, yet in many areas of the world the provinces don't reflect that.
For example in Poland/Lithuania.

 

[Cainrae]

I always see Culture as the lingual dominance, clothing style and social culture in the region. Much like how the Russian's made sure their territory was Russian speaking, behaving and dressed. The populations however still retain their cultural origins.

 

[Oddb@ll]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_XI_of_Sweden

under "Assimilation of the newest dominions". At least that's what I would call cultural conversion.