<P> The melting pot is a monocultural metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous , the different elements `` melting together '' into a harmonious whole with a common culture or vice versa , for a homogeneous society becoming more heterogeneous through the influx of foreign elements with different cultural background with a potential creation of disharmony with the previous culture . Historically , it is often used to describe the assimilation of immigrants to the United States . The melting - together metaphor was in use by the 1780s . The exact term `` melting pot '' came into general usage in the United States after it was used as a metaphor describing a fusion of nationalities , cultures and ethnicities in the 1908 play of the same name . </P>
<P> The melting pot is a monocultural metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous , the different elements `` melting together '' into a harmonious whole with a common culture or vice versa , for a homogeneous society becoming more heterogeneous through the influx of foreign elements with different cultural background with a potential creation of disharmony with the previous culture . Historically , it is often used to describe the assimilation of immigrants to the United States . The melting - together metaphor was in use by the 1780s . The exact term `` melting pot '' came into general usage in the United States after it was used as a metaphor describing a fusion of nationalities , cultures and ethnicities in the 1908 play of the same name . </P>
what process is the central idea behind americas melting pot
what process is the central idea behind americas melting pot
assimilation
assimilation