F. J. Turner

Frederick Jackson Turner was a prominent American historian best known for his "Frontier Thesis," proposed in 1893. He argued that the American frontier—the experience of settling and expanding westward—played a crucial role in shaping the nation's character, identity, and democracy. Turner believed that the challenges and opportunities of frontier life fostered qualities like individualism, innovation, and resilience, helping to forge a unique American spirit. His ideas emphasized that the continuous westward expansion greatly influenced America's development and societal values, making the frontier a central element in understanding American history.