Strong Response

             The expansion of the American frontier played a large part in the history and
making of the United States, but how big was that role? Historian Frederick Turner felt
that the American frontier played the largest influence on our country's history.  
             Turner also believes that America as a country died over 100 years ago as
published in "The Significance of the Frontier in American History". Turner felt that when
the frontier was gone, America was as well. He also drew many factors to the rapid
disappearance of the frontier and a larger step for independence and individual rights in
America: 1.) The frontier gave Americans a new beginning. They were able to start a new
life in a new place. It also allowed many of them to erase their pasts and start with a
clean slate. 2.) America was a rapidly growing country and needed more room for all of
its energy. The timing of the expansion was impeccable to the growth of America. 3.)
Expansion made America independent in many ways. A largely visible way was lessening
its dependence on Europe for goods and supplies. As a vast population of America
moved west, European countries had a more difficult time delivering its goods and
supplies to the Pioneers. These points make Turner's beliefs well received. Much of the
information that Turner included was so obvious once it was said; yet it never would have
caught my attention if I were to sit down and think of reasons for the American frontier
playing a significant role in history.
             I found the most intriguing of Turner's points to be that Americans did not shape
the land, the land shaped Americans. This is something that most people would not like
to hear because in a sense it is telling them that they are not in control of their own life.