The Growing Nation: Introduction
Frederick Jackson Turner was an American historian and author who is best remembered for his “Frontier Thesis,” which he introduced in 1893. Turner’s work declared that the spirit and success of the United States was directly tied to the country’s westward expansion. He further argued that those rugged individuals that were able to tame the wild were considered an elite group, individuals with a solid character. Although we do not discuss the frontier and expansion until the end of the unit, Turner’s theories and observations are applicable to the rest of the unit. After the nation received its independence, we were free to explore the unchartered possibilities that came with freedom. Our forefathers set about creating a government that they deemed suitable to meet the needs of the nation. In a sense, the events that unfolded were similar to the pioneers heading west.