The Frontier in American History by Frederick Jackson Turner

Description

Frederick Jackson Turner's The Frontier in American History is a seminal work first published in 1920, that examines the role of the American frontier in shaping the nation's character, institutions, and history. The book is based on Turner's 'frontier thesis,' which he first articulated in 1893. Turner argues that the existence of a frontier and its constant movement westward played a key role in fostering democracy, and innovation in the United States. He stresses how the availability of very large amounts of nearly free farmland built agriculture, pulled ambitious families to the western frontier and created an ethos of unlimited opportunity and helped shape individualism and opposition to governmental control. He emphasizes that the frontier served as a 'safety valve,' offering opportunities for social and economic advancement while promoting a uniquely American identity distinct from European traditions. The essays in the book explore how the closing of the frontier at the end of the 19th century marked a turning point in American history, raising questions about the country's future development.

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