The Evolution of the american frontier: A VISUAL TIMELINE
Summary
The visual timeline is an artistic depiction of the time-line of the American frontier from it’s establishment in 1607. On the far left, there are British ships carrying British colonists, eager to initiate colonization and discovery in the present-day United States. During the colonial era and pre-Revolutionary era, the American frontier was set at the Appalachian Mountains, as seen in the colonists’ vigorous opposition and refusal to comply to the Proclamation of 1763. After the Revolutionary War and into the beginning of the 19th century and after learning about and colonizing the Appalachian Mountains, the frontier was set at the Mid-West. The 20th and 21st century set the frontier beyond the continent and into outer space: first the moon, now Mars, and perhaps other galaxies in the future. The scattered question marks symbolize American curiosity, which partially fueled the rapid expansion.
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because the American Frontier (an element unique to America) was and continues to be a significant defining element of American society (many historians refereed to the frontier as a “safety value” of cheap land) . American curiosity drove the people to conquer and learn more about the mysterious “New World.” While there were obvious economic, religious, and at times political reasons for expansion, the idea of abundant, essentially free land, arouse curiosity and the desire to learn more among Americans.
The visual timeline is an artistic depiction of the time-line of the American frontier from it’s establishment in 1607. On the far left, there are British ships carrying British colonists, eager to initiate colonization and discovery in the present-day United States. During the colonial era and pre-Revolutionary era, the American frontier was set at the Appalachian Mountains, as seen in the colonists’ vigorous opposition and refusal to comply to the Proclamation of 1763. After the Revolutionary War and into the beginning of the 19th century and after learning about and colonizing the Appalachian Mountains, the frontier was set at the Mid-West. The 20th and 21st century set the frontier beyond the continent and into outer space: first the moon, now Mars, and perhaps other galaxies in the future. The scattered question marks symbolize American curiosity, which partially fueled the rapid expansion.
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because the American Frontier (an element unique to America) was and continues to be a significant defining element of American society (many historians refereed to the frontier as a “safety value” of cheap land) . American curiosity drove the people to conquer and learn more about the mysterious “New World.” While there were obvious economic, religious, and at times political reasons for expansion, the idea of abundant, essentially free land, arouse curiosity and the desire to learn more among Americans.
"Thus the demand for land and the love of wilderness freedom drew the frontier ever onward... the frontier promoted the formation of a composite nationality for the American people. In the crucible of the frontier the immigrants were Americanized, liberated, and fused into a mixed race, English in neither nationality nor characteristics."
~Frederick Jackson Turner, The Significance of the Frontier in American History