Question

what was the thesis or main point or turner's essay.

Answer 1

Frederick Jackson Turner’s essay, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History," published in 1893, argues that the American frontier was essential to the development of American democracy and character. Turner posits that the westward expansion and the experience of settling the frontier shaped the national identity, fostering traits such as individualism, democracy, and innovation. He emphasizes that the closing of the frontier marked a significant turning point in American history, suggesting that the unique opportunities for growth and renewal provided by the frontier were central to shaping American society. Overall, Turner contends that the frontier experience contributed to a distinct American ethos and highlighted the importance of land and opportunity in shaping the United States.