The Significance of the Frontier in American History

The Concept of the Frontier

Turner posits that the frontier—the meeting point between savagery and civilization—is the defining force of American history. Unlike European development, American history is characterized by the repeated 'rebirth' of society as it moves westward, continually returning to primitive conditions and adapting to new environments.

Stages and Types of Expansion

The essay details the waves of expansion, categorized into the trader's, rancher's, and farmer's frontiers. These movements were driven by various incentives such as fur trading, mining, and the search for fertile land, leading to the gradual integration of the continent through transportation and political organization.

Impact on National Character and Policy

The frontier promoted a composite nationality, industrial independence, and a unique form of democracy. It fostered individualism, fueled the growth of national legislation regarding land and internal improvements, and served as a catalyst for political movements that challenged the established power of the Eastern seaboard.

Closing the Frontier

With the 1890 Census declaring the end of a clear frontier line, Turner concludes that a significant era in American history has ended. He notes that while the frontier provided a 'gate of escape' and a source of American energy and buoyancy, the nation must now face the future without the availability of vast, unsettled free land.