Frontier Thesis by Fredrick Jackson Turner There are many influences that shaped American history since the colonization of the new world. There exist many theories that suggest which variables and factors are most influential. American historian Fredrick Jackson Turner played a role in discussing such influences that ultimately shaped the way historians look at American history. Fredrick Jackson Turner was born in the midst 1800s and died early 1900s. He attended Harvard University and is widely known for his famous thesis that he wrote in 1891. He wrote this essay because he has a PhD from Harvard. It reads “Americans had created distinctive political institutions and values…. That were forged as they opened up their continent …” This is widely known as “Frontier Theory”. This is a very important theory because it changes the perspective of the American influences and history. A further analysis of Turner’s theory indicates that the influences of American history is defined as a process. Historians used to believe …show more content…
The truth is, the Europeans did play a role in shaping the American culture as it was part of the on-going process that determined ultimately the independence of Americans. The European culture served the American settlers as an example of what not to do when it comes to persecuting people for their religion, beliefs, and values. The early American settlers have an example of a good and bad political system that is the European way. Americans also learned many things from the Europeans before shipping overseas such as basic farming skills, knitting, and housing. It is not as if the Americans just casually appeared out of nowhere into this new land with no direction. A parallel example to this theory is exemplified when a 23 year old moves out of home and leaves with the teachings and knowledge provided by his parents. The parents are the Europeans, and the young adult is the American