The Turner Thesis

The Turner Thesis, proposed by historian Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893, suggests that the American frontier played a key role in shaping the nation's character and development. He argued that the experience of westward expansion fostered qualities like independence, innovation, and resilience, influencing American democracy and culture. According to Turner, the frontier's availability and exploration helped to forge a unique American identity and contributed to societal progress, but as the frontier closed in the early 20th century, it marked the end of an important chapter in American history.