Frederick Jackson Turner

¶ … sentiment, enhanced by analysis and critical thinking from a variety of sources. Frederick Jackson Turner's essay discusses the closing of the American western frontier, and what it means for the American people.

The historical significance of the frontier movement cannot be denied, and Turner's question lingers, what will forge American history now that the dominance and dominion of the frontier has vanished? He eloquently writes, "American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier." He notes many areas of the frontier movement have been studied, but economic and historic significance remains open to scrutiny.

Thus, he sets up his thesis, that the frontier offers a "fertile field for investigation" and that there will certainly be problems and questions resulting from the ongoing investigation. Turner gains the readers attention in the first few paragraphs, when he compares the American frontier to the European frontier and notes the differences between the two, and then continues in this vein with just how important the American frontier was to our social and political development as a nation and as a people.

In addition, he notes that initially, European colonists to America kept their own individuality and society, but striking out into the frontier changed European colonists into true Americans, who gave up their Pilgrim finery for coonskin caps and canoes. As a result, the colonists find themselves slowly adapting to their new environment, rather than adapting their environment to their old European lifestyles, which have no place is this new and wild land.

He also discusses the demarcation between "savagery and civilization" that made the frontier so unsettling and yet alluring, and the key importance of westward expansion to our nation, even outweighing the importance of slavery in his mind. Perhaps one of Turner's most compelling points is the importance of the United States frontier development in world development. He writes, "The United States lies like a huge page in the history of society," and compares our expansion to the social evolution of the planet.

While at first this statement may seem a bit overconfident, in reality, Turner's assessment is quite correct. As the United States grew, so did her economic and social viability in the world. America is a rich and varied continent, and westward expansion found rich and virulent croplands, precious minerals, and a wide variety of natural resources that were valuable commodities to foreign nations. In addition, our industrial base grew as well, and manufacturing began to move westward as the western borders ever expanded.

Our net worth grew along with our westward expansion, and made us a more powerful and influential global presence. Another important point is how our westward expansion pulled us away from our initial dependence on England. Turner notes, "Before long the frontier created a demand for merchants.

As it retreated from the coast it became less and less possible for England to bring her supplies directly to the consumer's wharfs, and carry away staple crops, and staple crops began to give way to diversified agriculture for a time." Turner's evidence supports his points by then going into detail regarding his assertions, and citing evidence of other historians and statesmen as part of his arguments.

For example, when he discusses America's lessening dependence on England, he cites the Governor of South Carolina and his assessment of the South's initial dependence on England for food and drink, and the growing dependence on American markets to supply their daily needs. Thus, Turner continually backs up his own thesis with the interpretations of other historians, experts, and citizens, thereby reinforcing his arguments and his ideas. Turner's final package is quite convincing. His assessment of the American westward expansion as a vital part of our history is undeniable.

He asserts, "The growth of nationalism and the evolution of American political institutions were dependent on the advance of the frontier," and he continually maintains that slavery was an important incident in American history, but westward expansion had affects that are far more lasting. Land was the most defining factor in our growth and success maintains, and he goes on to cite several pertinent examples of land purchase, legislation, and reform that had long-term affects on the nation, including the instrumental Louisiana Purchase.

Turner's final analysis is convincing because it is clear he is a knowledgeable and thoughtful historian who has given much deliberation to his final conclusions. In addition, it is difficult to argue with his conclusions, because they are so logically thought out, and.