Frontier Thesis

Definition

The Frontier Thesis, also known as the Turner Thesis, is a theory proposed by the American historian Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893. It suggests that the American frontier, defined as the advancing edge of settlement, played a crucial role in shaping the unique character and development of the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Frontier Thesis argues that the frontier experience was a key factor in shaping American democracy, individualism, and the national character.
2. Turner believed that the existence of an open frontier allowed for the continuous reinvention of American society, as settlers adapted to the challenges of the wilderness.
3. The Frontier Thesis emphasizes the role of the frontier in promoting social and economic mobility, as well as the development of American institutions and values.
4. Turner's thesis was influential in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shaping the way historians and the public understood the significance of the frontier in American history.
5. The Frontier Thesis has been criticized for its Eurocentric perspective and for overlooking the experiences of Native Americans and other marginalized groups affected by westward expansion.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Frontier Thesis relates to the concept of Manifest Destiny and the process of Westward Expansion in the United States.
  • The Frontier Thesis and the concept of Manifest Destiny are closely linked, as they both emphasize the importance of the frontier and the belief in America's divine right to expand across the continent. The Frontier Thesis suggests that the existence of the frontier and the challenges it presented shaped the unique character of the American people, while Manifest Destiny provided the ideological justification for the country's westward expansion. The process of Westward Expansion, in turn, was fueled by the belief in the Frontier Thesis and the perceived benefits of the frontier experience, such as social and economic mobility, as well as the development of American institutions and values.
• Analyze the influence of the Frontier Thesis on the development of American exceptionalism and its impact on the country's foreign policy and global role.
  • The Frontier Thesis has been closely linked to the concept of American exceptionalism, the belief that the United States is unique and exceptional compared to other nations. By emphasizing the frontier experience as a key factor in shaping the American character, the Frontier Thesis helped to reinforce the idea of the United States as a unique and exceptional nation. This sense of American exceptionalism has had a significant impact on the country's foreign policy, as it has contributed to the belief that the United States has a special role to play on the global stage. The Frontier Thesis has been used to justify and promote expansionist policies, such as Manifest Destiny, and has influenced the way the United States has approached its international relations and its perceived position in the world.
• Evaluate the criticisms of the Frontier Thesis, particularly in regards to its Eurocentric perspective and the experiences of marginalized groups affected by westward expansion.
  • The Frontier Thesis has been criticized for its Eurocentric perspective, which often overlooked the experiences of Native Americans and other marginalized groups affected by westward expansion. By focusing primarily on the experiences of white settlers and the challenges they faced in the wilderness, the Frontier Thesis failed to acknowledge the devastating impact of westward expansion on indigenous populations and the ways in which their land and resources were exploited. Additionally, the Frontier Thesis has been criticized for its failure to account for the experiences of other marginalized groups, such as African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans, who were also affected by the processes of westward expansion and the development of the American frontier. These criticisms have led to a re-evaluation of the Frontier Thesis and a greater emphasis on understanding the diverse experiences and perspectives that have shaped the history of the United States.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.

Westward Expansion: The historical process of American settlement and development of the western United States, from the original Thirteen Colonies to the Pacific Ocean.

American Exceptionalism: The belief that the United States is unique and exceptional compared to other nations, often attributed to its frontier experience and democratic values.