In this discussion, you will read an excerpt from Frederick Jackson Turner’s “The Frontier in American History” and discuss his thesis and its significance. Consider the following questions.

What is Turner’s thesis regarding the importance of the frontier in American history?
Why might Turner have been concerned that the frontier was disappearing?
Post a detailed response that addresses both of the discussion questions. Then comment on at least two other posts.

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To understand Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis regarding the importance of the frontier in American history, we can turn to his seminal work, "The Frontier in American History." In this essay, Turner argues that the existence and development of a frontier played a crucial role in shaping the American character and history.

According to Turner, as settlers moved westward across the continent, they encountered a vast, uncultivated wilderness that presented challenges, opportunities, and a unique environment for societal development. The frontier, with its rugged landscapes and abundance of resources, shaped the American people by instilling in them qualities such as self-reliance, individualism, and adaptability.

Turner posited that the frontier experience molded American democracy and promoted a distinct American spirit. He claimed that the continual expansion of the frontier allowed Americans to continuously shed their European past and create new identities, free from the constraints and traditions of the Old World. This constant process of reinvention and innovation, driven by the challenges and opportunities of the frontier, was, according to Turner, the essence of American exceptionalism.

Turner's concern about the disappearance of the frontier arises from his belief that the frontier was the lifeblood of American democracy and progress. He worried that with the closing of the frontier, the wellspring of American vitality and individualism would be lost. The settling of the West had been a driving force in American history, providing a safety valve for social tensions and economic opportunities. The end of the frontier era meant that American society would have to find new ways to sustain the same dynamism that had propelled it forward.

Turner's thesis on the importance of the frontier in American history remains significant. Although challenged by later historians, his ideas have shaped our understanding of how the frontier played a crucial role in shaping American identity, democracy, and progress. Furthermore, his concerns about the disappearance of the frontier's influence resonate even today, as many argue that the challenges and opportunities it offered have been replaced by other societal forces.

In conclusion, Turner's thesis argues that the frontier experience was central to understanding the American character and history. He believed that the frontier's challenges and opportunities helped shape American democracy and individualism, and his concern about its disappearance stemmed from the belief that it played a vital role in sustaining American progress and vitality.

Comment on at least two other posts:
- [Comment 1]: I agree with your analysis of Turner's thesis and the significance he attributed to the frontier in shaping American history. The idea of the frontier as instrumental in promoting qualities like self-reliance and adaptability is thought-provoking and helps explain why these characteristics have been deeply ingrained in the American psyche. Your point about the need to find new ways to sustain the same dynamism is also important, as it prompts us to consider the ongoing challenges to maintaining the American spirit in the absence of the frontier.
- [Comment 2]: Thank you for your post! Your analysis of Turner's thesis on the frontier highlights the importance he placed on the American character's development. I also appreciate your acknowledgment of the challenges that come with the disappearance of the frontier. It prompts us to think about how American society has had to adapt and find new sources of dynamism in the absence of further westward expansion. Overall, well-written and insightful response!

Make sure YOU have read it, yeet! You should also read many of the search results here:

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The thesis is the MAIN IDEA he is concentrating on throughout.