Turner Thesis
What is the impact of the frontier on the American character?
It formed the characteristics of Individuality, Coarseness, Optimism, Material Progress, Buoyancy, and Exuberance.
what is the impact of the frontier on the government?
It made it more democratic.
what is the Turner Thesis?
The idea that the frontier created a unique American character and government.
define "frontier"
The meeting point between civilization and savagery and an area of cheap/free land
Who was Frederick Jackson Turner?
a young historian that gave a famous speech in 1893 about the frontier.
It is too narrow-it doesn't account for other culture's histories
problem with the Turner Thesis
It limited Western history to 1890 and earlier
problem with the Turner Thesis
There are frontiers all over the world without an American character and government
problem with the Turner Thesis