(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

FREDERICK JACKSON TURNER


            Frederick Jackson Turner was a teacher and a scholar in the late 1800's to early 1900's. Turner redefined American history by stating that the settlement of the West by white people - "the existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward" - was the central story of American history. Prior to this statement, the frontier was only a backdrop to American History. Mr. Turner's thesis statement defined the frontier and brought it to the forefront of American History.
             According to Turner, the frontier played the role of the driving force behind modern advancement, yet also served the purpose of taking us back to our humble beginnings, before modern advances.
             Turner's thesis is in itself an expression of manifest destiny, or the sense of mission to expand our nation by including others who were capable of self-government. His thesis that the central history of America was built around the frontier is exactly what manifest destiny is about.
             Turner's thesis that the frontier played a large part in creating and fostering democracy is correct. American democracy was cradled in the American people's ability to expand freely, promoting individualism, yet centralize the new government so that it could evolve and grow. .
             The Frontier Thesis culturally assumed that the Indian cultures would capitulate and become a part of American Society, and thus American History. It is said to be a product of its time because of its portrayal of Indian culture as savagery, and its lack of portrayal of the importance of women in the frontier. .
             According to Turner, the environment of the western frontier affected the American character by promoting individualism, and the intellectually profound traits of inquisitiveness and inventiveness and a certain amount of coarseness and strength. .
             It was possible for Turner to argue that the land on the other side of the frontier was empty despite Spanish and Native American Settlement because neither group had the power to back up their claim to the land, either in fire power or in power of population, as compared to the U.


Essays Related to FREDERICK JACKSON TURNER


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question