Does the Frontier Experience Make America Exceptional?

by Richard W. Etulain

Does the frontier experience make America exceptional? When Frederick Jackson Turner presented this idea in 1893 as the core of his now-famous thesis, he set in motion a debate that historians of the American West have contended with ever since. The concept of a frontier, a moving boundary that defined civilization and circumscribed the Wild West, was not new — though the idea that it made Americans unique was. Turner's paper is reprinted in its entirety, followed by articles by three "New Western" historians who bring the dialogue up to the present day by applying modern concerns to this long-standing issue. The last selection looks forward, asking what Turner's ideas mean for America as we head into the twenty-first century.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American

132 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 1999

Reviews

[Timothy Fewless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary of Turner and the frontier thesis

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The shadow of Frederick Jackson Turner looms large. His 1893 essay on the frontier is arguably the most important piece of historical writing produced by an American. Here's another place to read it again--and it deserves to be read again.

This collection includes Richard White's excellent piece, "When Frederick Jackson Turner and Buffalo Bill Cody Both Played Chicago in 1893," and installments by other luminaries--Donald Worster, Patricia Limerick, Elliot West, etc. (What?! no William Cronon?!)

Here is the table of contents:


PART I. INTRODUCTION

The Frontier and American Exceptionalism
Frederick Jackson Turner and the Frontier Historians and the Turner Thesis

PART II. SOME CURRENT QUESTIONS

1. How was the idea of the "frontier" born?
Frederick Jackson Turner, The Significance of the Frontier in American History

2. How has the idea of the frontier shaped our imagination?
Richard White, When Frederick Jackson Turner and Buffalo Bill Cody Both Played Chicago in 1893

3. Whose frontier is it?
Glenda Riley, Frederick Jackson Turner Overlooked the Ladies

4. Is the frontier idea still valid for the twenty-first century?
Martin Ridge, The Life of an Idea: The Significance of Frederick Jackson Turner's Frontier Thesis

5. Will region replace frontier?
Donald Worster, New West, True West: Interpreting the Region's History

6. How should we interpret the frontier/West?
Patricia Nelson Limerick, Michael P. Malone, Gerald Thompson, and Elliott West, Western History: Why the Past May Be Changing

[Matthew Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

All right, so I may have skipped an essay or two, but I read what was assigned. I'll probably look over the others later, but what I read was intriguing. I came down on the more Turnerian side, probably reacting to the over-reactionary anti-Turnerians. I think Turner has a valid analysis, but one which never should have been taken to the extremes it was. Still, I buy into the significance of his frontier thesis more than some.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I read the whole thing and I liked it not so much for the historic implications but for the mechanics of the debates. Seeing Worcester take on Turner was fun. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this book if it weren't for my teacher (and incidentally the chapter on women is very clearly part of the 80s history movement).

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turner's thesis is an incredible achievement. Unique ideas and exceptional ideas lead to growth in frontier history. This book does a great job explaining the criticisms of Turner's thesis while still explaining the things he has done so well. Overall this is an easy read and will provide its readers with a unique perspective on the history of the west as well as the criticisms of Turner.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays in this book are invaluable for students as it helps put the Frontier Thesis into perspective. While Turner was a progressive and some of his ideas are rather limited, the Frontier Thesis was accepted as-is for nearly 100 years. The other essays in the book clarify and build on Turner's ideas as well as introduce other ways of looking at the American West.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who has gone to an American school has heard of the Turner frontier thesis - that is the idea that the American frontier closed in 1890 and so did a significant part of American history. I never actually read Turner's essay, so I was glad to find it inside this book along with other essays about this particular idea.

Very good book.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-organized with good essay selections (excepting the Riley one). It makes the reader think in all the right ways.