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.