According to Turner, the frontier had been the most important factor in shaping America and its character. He believed that you could only understand America by understanding the western frontier and how it changed the newly organized nation. A major notion within his claims of the American frontier is, “ the existence of an are of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward, explain American development ” (Turner, 33). Turner saw the advancement in the western frontier in a more hopeful and joyful light, contrary to that of Patricia Limerick’s
An essay titled The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold? is a prime example of how the "American Dream" is perceived in so many ways. The author, Brandon King, begins by defining where the phrase "American Dream" came from, and how it applies to our country today. He defines the phrase in his own words to establish his personal opinion, and then further establishes those opinions in depth. According to King the "American Dream" is defined as "potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future."
He expressed that the frontier which between savagery and civilization is the important line to accelerate the development of America[1]. This thesis has influenced many American leaders, even continues influence historical thinking today. [2] The Spanish American War
What is the thesis of this text? In other words: What is the main point that the text argues or tries to get across? a) Directly quote the thesis. If it is more than two sentences, write: “[two sentences]…[last word].” - “The story of America is among other things about the pursuit of this nobility.Handed down through the centuries, it is an enduring, vital strand in the national romance.” b) Explain the thesis in your own words. -The thesis is saying how hip not only influences but as well shapes American ideas, and how America views itself.
Since that time, historians and scholars have tended to either regard Long and Coughlin as instigators of an irrational and anti-democratic uprising or as leaders and advocates of a great, forward moving social transformation. Brinkley contests both of these views quite persuasively. He maintains that Long and Coughlin had the ability to make clear the feelings of the American public that sought a means to defend the autonomy of the individual and to beat off the violations of the modern industrial state. The followers of Long and Coughlin, according to Brinkley, did not long for an economic collective, but rather for a return to a society where the individual had control over his own life and the power in society resided in institutions that were both visible and accessible from a local level. However, neither one of these leaders ever offered the American public logical plans for obtaining these goals.
Carolyn Pennycuff History 1301-164 Hollitz 8: Turner Essay March 29, 2014 Grand Theory and History: Democracy and the Frontier How do the experiences of specific groups of people, as reflected in the primary sources, support or modify Turner’s view of western settlement? Does Turner’s thesis reflect a mythic view of the West or real experiences? According to Frederick Jackson Turner’s thesis on The Significance of the Frontier in American History, he believed that the nation was shaped due to the American frontier and their pioneering ideals. Their ambitions, determinations, hopes, and dreams made a huge impact on civilization. The frontier definitely moved at a different pace since they had horses and canoes versus cars, ships, planes, etc.
The author of this essay, Dr. Thomas L. Nichols, effectively asserts that “The right of a man to emigrate from one country to another, is one which belongs to him by his own constitution and by every principle of justice” (18). This essay will discuss why immigrants should be welcome in America and how they will benefit the country. Thomas L. Nichols believes “The right to live, then, supposes the right of emigration…” (18). He elaborates this statement by re-enforcing the fact that America is a land built on immigration. The first settlers on this land were foreigners who came to improve their condition and escape oppression just as the immigrants of these days and times are also making an effort to do.
This leads me to wonder why the U.S. decided to intervene in the Spanish War. I may never know the real reason but I would like to know. Ries and Weber stated; “The year 1898 was a landmark in the transition of the United States from a republic to an imperial power.” They no longer felt the need to acknowledge economic as being the motive for interest it is now talk of Democracy. Americans are still declaring they have values and standards and are the model for the rest of the world. How true that is yet to be seen as far as I am concerned.
Rome & America Can studying ancient Rome help us better understand our own culture, political system, and society? I believe that it can, as history and anthropology in general can. But what specifically about ancient Rome makes it a common analogy to America? In Are We Rome?, author Cullen Murphy argues that indeed America is a lot like ancient Rome, and the similarities are surprising. While Murphy covers a variety of subjects for comparison in his book, I have chosen to look specifically at the military similarities, which Murphy does in chapter two his book, aptly titled The Legions.
Hank's determination to shift national focus from religion and superstition toward technology is either an amazing venture in capitalism or simply a reused, fiscally sound "opiate of the masses." Mark Twain's roots in the South show through as he pokes at all things aristocratically established, from religion to slavery. In a sense, "A Connecticut Yankee could be taken as the expression of an international crusade for democracy," with a support for both industrialization and free enterprise (Smith 76). However, Twain's personal experiences give away the deterrent tone toward such a generalization of his outlook towards humanity, which, if A Connecticut Yankee serves as an archetype for the human race, appears dismally