The True American Character according to Frederick Jackson Turner - Assignment Example

Frederick Jackson Turner The United s of America is country establishment from the immigration and settlement of people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. West American was characterized by widespread interstate migration in the 17th century. Some of the states where immigration occurred include Illinois, Alabama, Missouri, Indiana, Mississippi, New England, and Maine. In fact, the period 1790 to 1840 witnessed around 4.5 million people cross the Appalachian Mountains into America (Foner 336). This was more than the U.S population during the inauguration of the George Washington. The immigration of people of various ethnic backgrounds mostly Europeans into the region led to their transformation. They cultivated adopted and spread their culture and notions in west America. Thus, through these processes, they become Americanized. According to Jackson Turner, the long established American character originated from the forests and gained momentum every time it reached a frontier thus the frontier thesis. The American character entails democracy, equality, optimism, individualism, violence, and self-reliance (Turner 1). I agree with Turner that America owes its identity from the west. First, the Middle States, as well as the South, possessed democratic ideas and this formed the center of Ohio politics in her early history. This is proved since most of its members elected in the Ohio legislature in 1820 comprised a large number of the natives. For example, New England contributed nine Senators as well as six Representatives who mainly came from Connecticut. Moreover, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania elected seventeen Senators as well as twenty-one Representatives majority who came from Pennsylvania (Turner 1). Further, the South elected twenty-seven Representatives and nine Senators most of whom came from Virginia. Among the Representatives, five of them were natives of Ireland. In total, the emigrants from the Middle Region and the Democratic South outnumbered the Federalist who originated from New England. Since America is the heart of democracy and Ohio was the first state to elect emigrants as representatives, then it shows that the idea of democracy in America arose from Ohio, which is in the frontier. Secondly, once the immigrants settled in the West, they cooperated among themselves in clearing land, building houses and barns, and establishing communities (Froner 337). These ideals of individualism spread from the west into other areas in America. Thus, the communities promoted selflessness within their communities which later spread in the whole country. Afterwards, the other Americans adopted and accepted the ideals thereby forming part of American character (Foner 337). Third, one of the groups that moved and settled in Indiana included the Quaker. The group migrated from North Carolina because they had anti- slavery convictions (Turner 1). America is known worldwide in its pursuit and role in ending slave trade. Thus, the true American character and conviction in anti slave trade began with the Quaker settlers of Indiana. Therefore, the Quakers of Indiana found in west of the USA influenced the perception and belief other Americans in the evil of the slave trade and this changed the American character and the notion about slave trade. Additionally, the fierce contest of 1824 over the proposal to open Illinois thereby permitting slave trade was controversial. Despite its adoption, it was just by a narrow margin. This clearly proves that a substantial number of early residents of Illinois never liked the idea of the slave trade thus the narrow win of the proposition (Turner 1). Fourth, the Northwest America played a critical role into transforming America into a violence country. The Civil War between Northwest and New York set a precedent of a violent America and this was emulated by other regions. The Northwest opposed slavery while New York supported the notion thus the two regions had to engage in the Civil War (Turner 1). This scenario clearly depicted America as a country that loves violence. Fifth, Turner asserts that America is a country of optimism and thus constitutes its character. The immigrants of varied descendants developed this character in the Chicago. This State stood as the representative or ambassador of the will – power as well as genius (Turner 1). Despite coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds, residents of Chicago possessed the will and the power to undertake any thing with the aim of improving their lives. This character was enhanced by their genius nature, which served as a source of gaining diverse ideas. Moreover, their will and genius nature led to the invention of various gadgets and machines such as the telegraph invented by Samuel Morse in 1830s. Morse came from New York City and made a good innovation and invention in New York and later to the whole America (Foner 336). The development and improvement of communication and transportation system facilitated the rise of the west thereby making it a powerful and self-conscious area in America. Since they possessed the will, they implemented the ideas and this led to the development of the American character of optimism and the will power. Sixth, the idea of individualism also emerged from the west of the U.S. in 1820s. The settlers believed in being independent. Thus, they focused on depending on themselves thereby making individual states strive at attaining independence (Foner 403). For example, Michigan like other states in the northwest part of America had a mix of people from different ethnic backgrounds including the Germans, England, and Canada. Over half of Michigan’s population is of foreign parentage (Foner 398). After the settlement, the residents became self reliant by embracing industrial development, exploiting its mines and forests thus developing lumber interests. Moreover, it cultivated fruits, grains thereby ensuring it is food secure. These initiatives enabled Michigan to become self reliant in various aspects and the character later spread in other regions of America. Moreover, Wisconsin also developed and enhanced wheat production, mining of iron ores thereby ensuring that its independence and self-reliance (Turner 1). The community of New Glarus that had roots from Switzerland and settled in Wisconsin changed the American character by ensuring that Wisconsin shifts from grain dependent economy to dairy. After its adoption in many parts of America, it becomes the character of America and it remains the same up to today. Additionally, the northwest of America played a critical role in shaping American character. Despite influencing the northwest region, the immigrants also sent it sons to other regions to influence and spread its notions, practices, and beliefs. For example, Lincoln who was born in Kentucky and relocated to Indiana and later Illinois hugely changed his new society (Turner 1). Lincoln succeeded in spreading the views and policies of Kentucky thereby ensuring that the ideas of democracy, individualism, self-reliance, violence, and optimism were adopted in America. By becoming the president of America, Lincoln played a critical role in creating the American character, which is used in the contemporary world. In conclusion, Turner’s argument that America west is the origin of the true American character is true since the country’s democracy originated from the residents of the northwest American states. These ensured widespread participation of the locals in making and formulating decisions affecting the society. Moreover, the communities focused on pursuit of happiness through freedom. Their belief was that God had chose America for experimenting achievement of liberty. This made the inhabitants advance and promote democracy (Foner 402). Moreover, these individuals were self-reliant, possessed development initiatives, and promoted equality. Consequently, the communities observed cultural diversity and associated opportunities. Further, equality reduced poverty levels as the poor acquired lands and rose to leadership positions regardless of their social status. These ideals spread from the northwest regions to other areas through Americanization and this became the character of America. I agree that innovations practiced by the settlers in the northwest America became ingrained into the American society. Thus, they embraced democracy, as well as self-improvement attributed to western expansion. These ideals have guided America since adoption and have ensured it becomes the greatest nation on earth. References Caroline, Kirkland. A new home – who to Follow? 1839. Print. Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty: an American History, Vol. 1, 3rd Edition. , 2012, Print. Miller, Jacob, Alfred. Sketch of Trappers. 1837. Print. Turner, Jackson, Frederick. The significance of the Frontier in American History. (1983). Retrieved April 22, 2014 from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/TURNER/ Read More