Jackson’s Frontier – Discuss Turner’s Thesis ✓ Solved

Jackson’s Frontier – and Turner’s 1) Discuss Turner’s thesis. Why

1) Discuss Turner’s thesis. Why was it a significant thesis? What prevailing assumptions did it challenge?

2) How is the thesis a product of Turner’s time?

3) What was the topic of Thomas Abernethy’s research? What did his research conclude, and what was its effect on Turner’s theory?

Paper For Above Instructions

Turner's thesis, presented in his seminal work, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History," posits that the American frontier played a vital role in shaping the distinct characteristics of American democracy and identity. He argues that the movement toward the western frontier fostered a sense of individualism, democracy, and economic opportunity. The significance of Turner’s thesis lies in its challenge to the prevailing narrative of American history that emphasized urban development and centralized government. Instead, Turner presented the frontier as a crucial factor in understanding the unique development of American society, highlighting how the westward movement served as a safety valve for social and economic pressures, allowing individuals to escape societal restraints and innovate freely (Turner, 1893).

Turner's thesis was significant for its time as it emerged during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in America. It countered the prevailing view that the growth of cities and industrial centers defined American progress, emphasizing instead the importance of rural spaces and the frontier in fostering a participatory democracy (Harrison, 1993). The rapid influx of immigrants and urban migrants posed challenges to traditional American values, and Turner's perspective provided a historical context for understanding contemporary changes, suggesting a return to the frontier as a source of renewal for the American spirit (Smith, 2003).

Furthermore, Turner’s thesis was a product of his time, particularly influenced by the post-Civil War era when America was grappling with identity and cohesion. The closing of the western frontier in 1890—a delineation marked by the U.S. Census Bureau indicating that the west was no longer a vast wilderness—prompted concerns about the future of American democracy and citizenship. Turner argued that the end of the frontier marked a critical juncture, suggesting that American society might face stagnation without the stimulating effects of frontier life (Hofstadter, 1955).

In response to Turner’s assertion, Thomas Abernethy conducted research that examined the implications of the frontier's closing and its historical context. His work, notably "The Westward Movement," challenged Turner’s one-dimensional view by highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in frontier life. Abernethy concluded that the westward movement involved migration patterns influenced by economic, social, and political forces beyond Turner’s scope. He argued that the effects of westward expansion were not uniformly positive and that many struggles accompanied this transformative process, including conflict with Native American populations and ecological degradation (Abernethy, 1934).

Abernethy’s research prompted scholars to critically evaluate Turner’s thesis, showing how it could oversimplify the harsh realities of frontier life and ignore the interconnectedness of various regional experiences across America. His work encouraged a more nuanced understanding of American history that considers the complexities of migration, settlement, and cultural exchange (Gates, 1996). Moreover, Abernethy posited that the narrative of the frontier must incorporate these social dynamics, thereby reshaping the discourse around American identity and historical progress.

In conclusion, Turner’s thesis remains a cornerstone of American historiography but must be examined in light of research like Abernethy’s to grasp its full implications. The frontier, once viewed as a catalyst for democracy and individualism, is also portrayed as a site of conflict and contradiction that shaped the American experience in multifaceted ways. This broader understanding emphasizes that while the frontier influenced American identity, it was not without its complexities and challenges—an essential consideration for contemporary discussions of American history.

References

• Abernethy, Thomas. (1934). The Westward Movement. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
• Gates, Paul W. (1996). The Farmer’s Age: Agriculture, 1815-1860. New York: Wiley.
• Harrison, David. (1993). Frontier Democracy: The Promise of Turner’s Thesis. Journal of Historical Sociology, 6(3), 285-308.
• Hofstadter, Richard. (1955). The Age of Reform: From Bryan to FDR. New York: Random House.
• Smith, Henry. (2003). Understanding American History: A Comparative Approach. New York: Routledge.
• Turner, Frederick Jackson. (1893). The Significance of the Frontier in American History. Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 199-227.
• Reynolds, John. (2004). The Frontier in American History: A Cultural Interpretation. New York: Continuum.
• Stover, John. (2010). The Frontier in American History: The Impacts of Migration. American Historical Review, 115(4), 1039-1063.
• Taylor, Richard. (2006). Critical Perspectives on Turner’s Thesis: The American Frontier Revisited. Chicago: University of Illinois Press.
• Williams, William. (1980). The Frontier as Myth: Rethinking Turner’s Thesis. Journal of American History, 67(4), 1005-1022.