From a sociological standpoint, assimilation refers to the intermingling of cultural norms and customs between two distinct peoples. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assimilationIn the American political sphere, assimilation has the connotation of immigrants acclimating to a new social environment and "Americanizing". http://books.google.com/books?id=qfTiUv4mv_sC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false This kind of assimilation is called "acculturation," changing ones habits to conform with the majority. Another type of assimilation is "identificational assimilation," or having one's identity rely on the majority. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=YzYkMQv3WFMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=milton+gordon+assimilation&ots=UkRH5OPHH9&sig=aOgNF_6H6isxEPl1Zjmbr-wHeaA#v=onepage&q=assimilation&f=falseAssimilation can be due to many different factors, such as colonialism, occupation of a territory, the unification of ethnically diverse areas into a nation, alliances between countries or the displacement of a native population. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=YzYkMQv3WFMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=milton+gordon+assimilation&ots=UkRH5OPHH9&sig=aOgNF_6H6isxEPl1Zjmbr-wHeaA#v=onepage&q=assimilation&f=false

Today, assimilation has negative connotations. The term has taken on a Euro-centric light, implying that ethnic minorities need to absorb the dominant culture, rather than coexist. http://books.google.com/books?id=qfTiUv4mv_sC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false For example, cultural and religious centers such as the Aish Hatorah organization are established and maintained to reach out to the secular Jewish community in order to "fight assimilation". http://www.aish.com/ai/bn/ji/96751319.html Minority groups, who speak endangered languages like Circassian or Aramaic, urge people to study their ethnic languages and battle against assimilation. http://www.aina.org/aol/ethnic.htm http://www.circassianworld.com/English_C.html However, not all types of assimilation are seen as detrimental. "Attitude receptional" and "behavior receptional" assimilation are marked by the lack of prejudice or discrimination when interacting with other ethnic groups. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=YzYkMQv3WFMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=milton+gordon+assimilation&ots=UkRH5OPHH9&sig=aOgNF_6H6isxEPl1Zjmbr-wHeaA#v=onepage&q=assimilation&f=false

There are many examples of acculturaion, forced or consensual throughout history. A few of them are listed below:

• The Assyrian Empire in the 8th Century B.C. changed their language from the Assyrian dialect of Akkadian to Aramaic. http://cal.huc.edu/aramaic_language.html

• Many Copts were forced to assimilate and convert to Islam in 13th Century Egypt. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst;jsessionid=J7zJYgx3cMj2yYbb9ZF......13LhrGNy17rJp1TD!6927067?a=o&d=113869606

• Starting in 1869, Native Americans children were forcibly enrolled in Catholic schools by the US and Canadian governments. http://www.amnestyusa.org/amnestynow/soulwound.html

• Before WWII, many Jews were assimilated into German society. http://jbuff.com/c113000.htm