Final answer:
The rise of the Hispanic population in the U.S. has made Spanish increasingly popular, especially as this demographic's growth has influenced economic, political, and social aspects of American life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The popularity of Spanish in the United States is closely tied to the dramatic increase in the Hispanic/Latino population over recent decades. The Hispanic population has roots in the United States stretching back to the era of Spanish colonization, but its growth escalated following events like the annexation of Texas and the War with Mexico. The Hispanic population surged from an estimated 3 to 9 million residents in the 1960s, and by the 1980s, Hispanics constituted 7% of the US population. The 1990s saw a doubling of this demographic, with Hispanics representing a significant portion of the nation's growth.
California and Texas are home to nearly half of the Hispanics in the United States, but recent decades have seen sizable increases in states like Arkansas, Georgia, and Tennessee. This expansion has propelled Spanish to become a dominant language in various regions, influencing economics, politics, and social life. In response to the growing Hispanic voter bloc, civil rights progress, such as the use of Spanish in voting and teaching, has been made, illustrating the community's impact on American society.