Sunday, February 10, 2008
Which criticism of the Turner Thesis seems most valid?
The view of the "New Western" historians seems the most valid. In contrast to Turner's theory that the frontier was the principal shaper of the nation's and region's character, they believe that a variety of factors including ethnic and racial issues, big businesses, government, and climate and landscape shaped the West and the country's character. This view makes sense because big corporations and railroads were a big part of bringing population and wealth to the West. Different ethnic and racial clashes throughout the West and the rest of the country also molded our country. Clashes between Native Americans and the U.S., blacks and whites, new immigrants and old immigrants, all molded the country and greatly influenced the West. Railroads were also heavily relied upon by Western settlers, making them very powerful. While the frontier did play an important role in our nations history, Turner's Thesis doesn't take into acount all of the other factors that shaped the West and the nation.
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