Americanization is the term used for the influence the United States of America has on the culture of other countries, substituting local culture with something of an American culture. It is often used in a negative context.
One of the principal reasons for this is America's highly visible global brands (e.g., McDonald's) and widely distributed media output.
It is often used as a term for fears of cultural substitution and can be compared to American fears of the United States being changed to be more like Mexico.
Americanization can also refer to the process of immigrants to the United States becoming American. This process often involves learning English and adjusting to American culture, customs, and dress. See also assimilation.
