Between the late 19th and turn of the 20th century, the US experienced record-breaking immigration (Brennan, 2002). That is, immigrants from many different parts of the world, particularly from Southern Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom, were coming into the country. Politicians, policy makers, and educational psychologists were faced with the task of educating the children of immigrants.
Indoctrinating these children into their new American culture expanded beyond teaching about the ever-changing practical implications of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, etc. Moreover, those in power wanted to provide an organized approach to assimilating new immigrants and subsequent generations into the "American" culture, particularly in the primary and foundational grades 1-9. Therefore, academic instruction was provided in English. What do you think are the implications of this history?