A summary of The significance of the Frontier by Frederick

Turner considered that vital since the official American history up 2 that time consisted of he colonization of the West& that it was this that explained American development. – The West compelled Pl to adapt themselves& 2 developing each area out of its preemptively economic/political conditions. – Its Isolation led to the need of transportation. -The American frontier is distinct from the European frontier due 2 an abundance of free land.

Its isolation led to the need of transportation. -Although the frontier forced Pl to change (switch from railroad car to canoe) It still maintains frontier characteristics after being settled.Thus, the frontier meant a teddy movement away form the influence of Europe. -The areas that had been settled upon were a source of political concern since it was surrounded by Indians. -The frontier led to trade between Indians& whites. I. E.

Stator’s American Fur co. Operated In the Indian trade. -The need to expand is inherent in Americans (Erie Canal, extension of cotton culture).

-California(gold rush) was a distinctive frontier. Now settlers needed means of communication w/the East. -Railroads (aided by land grants) increased the influx of immigrants into the FarWest. -Natural boundary lines which affected the characteristics of the frontiers.

1) “fall line” 2) Allegheny Mats. 3) Millponds/Mollusk (direction North& south) 4)99th -Frontiers similar in many ways.. 1) Indian “problem” 2) each settlement of one frontier served as a guide for the next for example, the mining experience in Wisconsin was applied to the Sierras. -Frontier differences: The frontier reached by the railroad, guarded by the US army, moved forward at a swifter pace and in a different way than the frontier reached by the canoe/horse.The unequal rate of settlement is what forces the distinction between various frontiers(traders,miner etc). -Colonies initially supported the fur trade and pushed forward exploration because of it.

Unarmed Indians traded w/the trader to obtain weapons thus, ending the primitive Indian life. -In spite of tensions between frontiers such as, the trader and farmer, Indian trade pioneered the way for civilization. The buffalo trail became the Indian trail, this in turn was the trader’s “traces. Thus civilization in America has followed the arteries add by geology and these paths have been broadened and interwoven into the mazes of modern commercial lines. -The finding of salt springs released the original settlers from reliance on sea coasts. Salt was used 4 preserving food. This in turn allowed us to decrease our dependence on G.

B. (more difficult to transport goods/carry of raw materials). Those materials gave way to diversified agriculture. -The steady advance of farmers was the result of their search 4 fertile land out west. -Symbolized freedom.