Does the Frontier Experience Make America Exceptional?
Does the Frontier Experience Make America Exceptional? by Richard W. Etulain, published by Bedford/St. Martin’s on April 16, 1999, is a thought-provoking exploration of the idea that the frontier experience contributes to American exceptionalism. This first edition spans 132 pages and is presented in English. The book revisits Frederick Jackson Turner’s influential thesis from 1893, which sparked ongoing debates among historians regarding the significance of the frontier in shaping American identity.
In this edition, readers will find Turner’s original paper, followed by contributions from three contemporary “New Western” historians who engage with Turner’s ideas and apply modern perspectives to this historical discourse. The final selection in the book looks ahead, contemplating the implications of Turner’s thesis as America approaches the twenty-first century. This work delves into themes of history and the evolving understanding of the American West, making it a relevant resource for those interested in historical analysis and the complexities of national identity.
Official synopsis Publisher
Does the frontier experience make America exceptional? When Frederick Jackson Turner presented this idea in 1893 as the core of his now-famous thesis, he set in motion a debate that historians of the American West have contended with ever since. The concept of a frontier, a moving boundary that defined civilization and circumscribed the Wild West, was not new — though the idea that it made Americans unique was. Turner’s paper is reprinted in its entirety, followed by articles by three “New Western” historians who bring the dialogue up to the present day by applying modern concerns to this long-standing issue. The last selection looks forward, asking what Turner’s ideas mean for America as we head into the twenty-first century.
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