Turner Thesis

The Turner Thesis, proposed by historian Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893, suggests that the American frontier—a vast, unsettled land—played a crucial role in shaping the nation's character and democracy. He argued that the experience of westward expansion fostered values like individualism, self-reliance, and innovation, which became foundational to American identity. Turner believed that the closing of the frontier marked a significant moment, influencing the country's development and prompting a shift in national focus from expansion to internal growth. Essentially, the thesis links the American frontier experience to the country’s unique social and political traits.