The media is often called one of the four powers because it can set trends and opinions for entire generations. However, sometimes information translated through the media loses its historical basis and can become a myth. Such a phenomenon was observed when Frederic Turner published his thesis, where he discussed the fostering of democracy and individualism in America and the influence of the frontier on the nation’s formation. Turner’s thesis was socially and ethically misinterpreted and popularized in the media, resulting in the creation of a frontier myth. The frontier reality that underlies historical facts and criticism of the myths around the matter will be discussed further in this essay.
The historical basis of the frontier primarily refers to a period known as the settlers’ expansion to the West. There are two significant reasons for the border mainly associated with this event. The first reason is that trade with Europe significantly proceeded along the coastline. At the beginning of 1800, the country’s economic state was becoming weak because of the Second War of Independence, and thus, additional supplies from a different continent became necessary (Brinkley, 2014).
The second reason is that technological advancement, such as the invention of the telegraph, contributed to its becoming one of the significant frontier periods. In addition, some critics drive attention to the role of the federal government in the expansion and providing transportation via land and water, which makes Turner’s ideas of heroism less valid. Therefore, frontier’s historical basis can be revealed through the most recent works of experts and their discussions of western expansion.
The reality behind the American frontier appeared when many historians and experts started replacing the points raised by Turner and his disciples. After World War 2, historians started analyzing Turner’s thesis to shed light on the reality of events that took place in the nineteenth century (Brinkley, 2014). One of the debated claims from Turner’s essay is related to Western individualism and capitalism. Some experts like Earl Pomeroy expressed that the West is rather conservative and values monarchy and inheritance more than capitalistic ideas of equal opportunities. New western historians like Richard White and Peggy Pascoe argued that there is no “empty frontier” (Brinkley, 2014).
They rejected some Turnerian ideas, including his statement that the West was waiting for American settlement and democratization and being a “free land” (Brinkley, 2014). The reality of the American frontier has since been discussed and revealed in many academic works. Acknowledging the difference between this theme’s myth and reality is essential.
According to Turner, the struggle to endure and triumph over the challenging and unwelcoming environment served as the impetus for developing the libertarian, egalitarian, and democratic values for which modern American society is renowned. The colonists claim that the frontier assisted them in eschewing the outdated and antiquated principles of conventional civilization and assisted them in creating new values based on real-world applications rather than abstract theory.
However, the thesis has since been attacked for its flaws and misinterpretations despite being widely and unconditionally accepted for over a century and still being seen as infallible by certain historians and sociologists. The trend started in the second half of the 20th century, spearheaded by the historians Richard White and Patricia Nelson Limerick, has emphasized the relatively high importance of outside forces as well as the comparatively small role played by the native people living in the conquered areas.
While Turner’s version glorifies the frontier as the manifestation of independence and individualism, the critics point to the prominent role the federal government has played in the expansion, such as providing support for establishing transportation systems, both by land and by rivers, securing communication by facilitating postal services and securing lands for the settlers. In such light, the image of a frontiersman looks much less impressive and heroic. Even worse for the concept of the equality-forming process was the unsettling fact of the presence of Hispanic and Native American populations on the lands taken by the colonists (Joseph, 1999). The latter suffered the most unfair judgment.
Although the forceful expulsion and sometimes extermination of the native inhabitants sometimes accompanied the expansion, the descriptions of these contentious events were frequently idealized and exalted as justified by the greater purpose. This trend was notably evident in cinematography, an entire genre devoted to the time. Popular shows, movies and television was filled with Westerns that “accented the winning of the West” (Sullivan, 2015). The representation of the aboriginal people and the West in those pieces is arguable, and thus they influenced generations of Americans.
The trend only changed to a more realistic representation with the advent of the new western historical method. However, due to the growing interest in indigenous traditions, stereotypes and erroneous information about Indians persisted. Finally, the banditry and absence of government on the frontier were included to increase the sense of danger and thrill.
All of the elements mentioned above influenced the mythos surrounding the American frontier. While the majority of its defining characteristics—personal drive, risk, conflicts with the local populace, and even the creation of the existing liberties—are historical truths, they are nearly always grossly exaggerated and portrayed in a way that highlights their good aspects. However, many of them are, at best contentious and should be utilized with caution when intended for purposes other than pure enjoyment.
References
Brinkley, A. (2014). The Unfinished Nation: A concise history of the American people. McGraw-Hill.
Joseph, N. (1999). A different view of the American West. UW College of Arts & Sciences. Web.
Sullivan, M. (2015). Rethinking the history of the American West. University of California. Web.
Turner, F. J. (1893). The Frontier In American history. Web.