Turner "frontier Theory" Analysis

The" frontier thesis", which has provided a new explanation to the formation of American civilization and has started "to-the-west" historiography, has been found by Turner, and it has broken the ruling phase of "biogenesis", and has made western history become an important branch of American history. Investigations and discussions to this thesis will enable us to deepen understanding of the nature of Westward Movement and American history itself, and then to increase understanding of the historical development trend on the basis. Turner's "frontier thesis" is a history system which includes rich and complex content, and the argument about its content and views has stretched on a century without cease. Therefore, this article will objectively, in-depth realize the thesis and further value it under guidance of historical materialism and dialectical materialism, combining macroscopic grasp with microcosmic investigation and discussion, on the basis of unscrambling thoroughly Turner's original works and referring to research fruits from others.There are five parts in my essay.The first part introduces the main argument of the "frontier thesis". "Frontier thesis" discusses the formation and development of American civilization and the spirit of United States, and considers that American civilization nowadays is derived from frontier to a large extent. The main points are as follows: the frontier creates the democracy system of America, strengthens the power of federal government, fosters American nationalism, promotes the stability of the society, and bestows the inertia on the expansion of America.The second part discusses the reasons for coming into being and being popular of this thesis. This theory had ruled the United States as long as forty years, and caused a hot talk in American history field, which illustrates its importance. The emergence of this theory was influenced by the pragmatism ideas, and what's more, it was an inevitable result of the development of the study of American history, and of course, there was an inseparable relationship with his own life experiences, educational background and qualifications. The era of his growth,the new trend of history research and his own values caused the birth of the theory together and has provided the basis for its popularity.The third part discusses some ideas to some main criticism. The criticism on this thesis in domestic academic circles has been focused on the theory's monopoly capitalism nature, and it is a weakness that historians review and explore it from the linkage of the development of American history. In this part, I attempted to do some research on the following questions: whether Turner denied the European influences on democracy of America, whether the frontier of the U.S. had played a "safety valve" role, and whether Turner was a "geographical determinism'", and my points are as follows: Turner not only emphasized the role of the frontier but also attached importance to the Europe; the frontier was not as Turner put it, the oppressed workers in the capitals in Eastern America could easily escape and easy became rich, but the existence of the frontier could certainly help ease the social contradictions of the eastern part; Turner was not a "geographic determinism", and he not only emphasized the role of the geographical environment but also attached importance to the role of human being which affected the geographical environment, and he considered that the power which came into being under human beings and nature alterring each other was the decisive factor to the development of history; he believed the multi-causal principle of geographical factors, and when he stressed the geographic factors, he did not ignore the economic, political, social, cultural and other factors, and he also gave a certain degree of concern to the class and industrialization of the United States.The fourth part discusses the theory's pragmatic functions and academic value. "Frontier thesis" has been concerned widespread since it was created, which roots in its larger practical significance and academic function. It has provided guidance for U.S. politicians in favor of opening up a smooth transition in American society, and has provided an important theoretical basis for more than a century of U.S. hegemony. Its influence is more reflected in its research orientation to the entire study of history. "Frontier thesis" has promoted the research of frontier around the world, and has expanded the scope of historical research, and created new methods of historical research, and opened a new era of American historical research. In a word, it has made an important impact on the history study of the United States and the world.The last part indicates the conclusion, namely, overall assessment of Turner's "frontier theory". There are many loopholes and weaknesses in Turner's "frontier thesis'", but we can not totally negate its positive significances. Its new angle of view to observe American history and its new history concept has promoted the development of American history research. It not only opened up the prosperity of American Western History, but also led to historians to research frontiers of other countries in the world, and to explore new history research methods and research aspects.In short, to do more research on Tuner's theory will have a more important significance to probe into the development process of U.S. history study. U.S. history and the tendency of international politics development.