Frontier Myth

The Frontier Myth is the belief that the American frontier was a space of endless opportunity, individualism, and innovation, shaping the nation's identity. It suggests that settling the West symbolized progress, self-reliance, and American character. This myth often overlooks the complexities and hardships faced by Indigenous peoples, settlers, and marginalized groups. While it promotes ideals of rugged independence, it can also justify expansion at the expense of others and has influenced American culture, politics, and attitudes towards exploration and development.