A Standard American?

Last class, we talked a little about if the United States should declare English (and possibly other languages) as official languages. We read two different articles about the different pros and cons about such an action, and if it was actually necessary, and if we should require all new US citizens to learn English. As of now, it is possible to function and live in this country without actually being able to speak English. The written test for getting a drivers license can be taken in other languages. In some places, voting ballots are available in a variety of different languages. But this country has not always been so accommodating to immigrants who speak different languages. This country used to make new comers conform much more than they do now. I remember in elementary school when we learned about all the immigrants who came in through Ellis Inland and the like. Often new immigrants were forced to change their last names so that they would be easier to spell and seem more American. This was partly to make their lives easier with a more American name, but also because foreign names are almost impossible to spell. In the past we forced immigrants to conform to American ways. So, when and why did this change so drastically?