In 1893, historian Fredrick Jackson Turner offered his now- famous “frontier thesis” at the World’s Fair in Chicago, Illinois. Turner’s thesis rapidly became popular among intellectuals. It explained why the American communities as well as the American government were very different from Europeans. The proposal later sounded an alarming reaction about the future to come and the possibility that the source of American power was gone soon became an upsetting idea.
“The existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward explain American development.” In his thesis, the frontier created independence and liberty, “breaking the bonds of custom, offering new experiences, calling out new institutions and activities.” According to Turner, he felt “the frontier” is the “line of most rapid Americanization.” Ultimately, Turner believed that the further the west, the more American the community; becoming more democratic as well as individualistic. He thought that the West was where a unique and hardy personality emerged, with more violence and aggression.
Turner’s ideas not only impacted and influenced many areas of history but also faced much criticism. More than a century after he first delivered his theory, historians still debate Fredrick Jackson Turner’s thoughts and position on the manner. I believe his “frontier thesis” drove American history to a new level; explaining why the United States is how it is today. I think Turner is correct in calling the West a “process.” He wrote, “has been continually beginning over again on the frontier.” I agree with Fredrick Turner’s idea that the more West you are, the more American, democratic, individualistic, and violent you become. By the late 1800s, future generations were looking for more independence and a new way of life. This generation became adventurous and idealistic; looking for something new and exciting. Unfortunately, violence also played a...