Surname1

Student name

Institution Affiliation

Course

Professor

Dates

Western colonization started in the late 18th century when people moved west from the

Atlantic to the Pacific. This made the boundary an American, not a European, region. It depicts a

new America with quadrupled size, numerous cultures, history, and most importantly, according

to Turner, the formation of government and democracy. Turner contended that the American

frontier and expansion shaped American democracy. These sources support, dispute, or alter

Turner's interpretation of western colonization.

It originated with European settlements on the eastern river. So the eastern half has

basically embraced all European traditions. But when people traveled west, that culture began to

vanish. In the furnace of the border, the immigrants were Americanized... English in neither

nationality nor traits. The process has continued from the beginning until now.” The English

culture has steadily adapted to America's. People were moving away from European influences

and forming a new country, America. He said that expansion is vital for American progress and

history. His argument also connects the frontier with the American democratic government.

While it is reasonable to claim that land, tariff, and internal improvements legislation was

influenced by frontier concepts and requirements, the most significant impact of the frontier has
 Surname2

been to promote democracy. People moving west were educated by mixed race civilizations. So

they could discuss politics, religion, and social systems more often than in the east, where

English culture still reigned. It was less English than the other portions. It had a diverse

population, a mixed town and county administration, a diverse economy, and several religious

sects.” Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Ohio were more democratic than their parents.

Western states like California and Oregon pioneered the Progressive movement that campaigned

against government corruption. So that damaged the American frontier government. “The victory

of the border occurred with the development of democracy as a national force.” Turner's

argument accepted the concept of American growth and democracy.

The chapter also offered several more primary sources that support, reject, or alter

Turner's argument. Source 7 shows a depiction of George Caleb Hingham's Stump Speaking

(1854). A stump speech is a single speech given by a candidate in public. As seen in the

illustration, a well-dressed candidate stands on the stump of a tree surrounded by townspeople.

This primary source supports Turner's argument since it reflects on democracy's evolution. The

candidate in this sketch is seeking public engagement, an important aspect of democratic

democracy. He wants people to pay attention to him and his efforts. He doesn't make them do

anything. He's politely urging them to do the right thing. That's democracy, it's all about us.

Source 9 speaks about Antonio Franco Coronel's logbook when he was working in Los

Angeles' mining camps. In his notebook, he describes several racial and ethnic confrontations in

the camps. There were “Chileans, Peruvians, Californians, Mexicans, Americans, Germans, etc.

The camps were virtually divided by nationality.” This contradicts Turner's argument since it

contradicts the premise of mixed racial opinion exchange. Nationalities kept people apart, so

they couldn't learn from one another. “To expel all non-American citizens from the placers since
 Surname3

it was felt that foreigners had no right to utilize the placers,” the source adds. So it isn't what

Turner anticipated. This source refutes Turner's theory. Finally, several facts from original

sources contradict Turner's argument. According to sources 4 and 12, Turner seems to be silent

about Native Americans and women. So that they might be more beneficial to civilized society,

Source 4 describes the objective of transforming Indians into Americans. Turner thinks that

cultures developed from primitive to civilized, but he made no mention of this convert. This

convert makes the West a better developed culture by using Indians as missionaries. Sources 12

and 13 discuss women's subordination to males. And guys rarely accomplish anything while

women do everything. “The introduction of those vital nothings. Small modifications to the more

delicate or spectacular parts of the domestic equipment need a little additional human effort.” It

suggests the males don't work but are happy to pretend they did. Like in source 13, a guy guards

outside while a lady milks a cow inside. It represents women's undervaluing. Women have a vital

role in democracy because everyone has the freedom to speak and act. But Turner didn't address

them in his dissertation.

His theory is based on his childhood in a rural Wisconsin location, a generation distant

from the frontier. He wants to see the West's governance and advises everyone to study Western

history. His theory effectively emphasizes the significance of the Westward expansion and the

American frontier. They are bound to democracy and cannot be separated.

 Surname4

Reference

Hollitz, John Erwin. Thinking Through the Past: A Critical Thinking Approach to US History.

Vol. 1. Houghton Mifflin College Division, 2000.