Review of "The Significance of the Frontier in American History," by Frederick Jackson Turner

Review of

The Significance of the Frontier in American History, by Frederick Jackson Turner ISBN 0804469199


Five out of five stars

Should be required reading in American history programs

 From the first tentative footholds on the east coast until the frontier was officially declared closed by the Census bureau in 1890, the generally westward movement of settlers largely defined the United States. Neither climate, terrain nor the opposition of the inhabitants could stop it. If you couldn’t make it in society for whatever reason, there was always the option to leave and establish yourself on unoccupied (by the whites) land.  It was a compelling lure, even for people that were living in Europe.

 This book by Turner is considered a milestone in history as he sets down the principles of what the frontier was and how it evolved from the first whites to stop and build until the structures of civilization such as schools and civil buildings were functioning. In 31 pages, the reader is given a primer on one of the foundational principles of what made the United States what it is. It should be read by all high school students.