Frontier Essay

Josh Smith Mr. Joyner Honors U.S. History 2/27/07 The Importance of the American Frontier The American frontier has had a huge impact on the history of the United States. It tremendously influenced the development of the country as a whole. Since the frontier line disappeared, the United States has not been the same. Frederick Jackson Turner was correct in his essay “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” in 1893 when he stated that, “The existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward, explain American development.” From the beginning of American history through the 1880’s a frontier existed, and certain people had to explore it before it was ready for settlement. Only the “best” men could survive on the frontier, those who were self-reliant, courageous, and adventurous. These men enjoyed the frontier because they had the freedom to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted, unless they encountered other people. Many ordinary people living all over the United States were inspired by the frontiersmen and thought of them as ideal Americans. The importance of the frontier on our history and development cannot be stressed. First, feelings of nationalism and patriotism were developed there. The American was not just a European who migrated to the New World. He was someone totally separate from Europe with the noble qualities previously described. Second, the frontier shaped our country’s government. As the frontier moved westward, national unity prevailed over States’ Rights. Some of the first laws passed that conditioned and tested the national government dealt with the western frontier.

Third, the individuality of the frontier promoted democracy. After all, the ideal American wanted to be able to decide his or her own future. Because of the frontier and its influence, America was able to become a superpower in two centuries as opposed to the European countries which took much longer. Soon after the frontier vanished, the United States changed. Average citizens no longer had hope in the ability to become the adventurous and self sufficient ideal American who was completely free. The entire country was bound by laws. The movie Shane illustrates this well. The main character, Shane, represents the frontier. He temporarily lives with the Starrett family in Wyoming. During most of the movie, the Ryker brothers are causing lawlessness and disrupting the settlers. The frontier still exists because it takes wit to survive amidst the disorder and settlers are not welcome. But then when the Ryker Brothers are killed at the end of the movie, Shane, representing the frontier, is forced to leave because the frontier no longer exists. One of the many ways America has changed since the closing of the frontier is that the previously adventuresome ideal American has become wealthy. The average people of the United States usually dream of becoming wealthy now, not courageous and self-sufficient. Another way America has changed is by trying to fill the void of the frontier by imperialism. Fourteen years after the frontier line officially disappeared, Theodore Roosevelt helped Panama achieve independence. America also reached out to Iraq recently to dispose of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The frontier for America is no longer in our own country, but in other countries. America has replaced the adventure of the frontier with exciting interventions into other countries. Turner did not overemphasize the importance of the frontier to American development. The frontier is not just part of our history; it is an important contributor to the progression and

maturation of the United States as a country. When the frontier disappeared, America changed irreversibly, and it will never be the same as it was again.