Importance of Westward ExpansionBASED OFF FREDERICK JACKSON TURNERS PAPER "THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FRONTIER IN AMERICAN HISTORY 1893"
As early as 1751 Benjamin Franklin described a destiny for Americans to fill up new lands to the west, and Jefferson, Monroe, and Adams all expressed expansionist dreams.
Jefferson's letter explaining why he acquired New Orleans
In the 1840s, however, under Presidents Tyler and Polk, the territory of the United States increased by nearly eight hundred million acres. John L. O'Sullivan is the person who employed the term manifest destiny in an article he wrote for the United States Magazine and Democratic Review.
John L. O'Sullivan
Frederick Jackson Turner was correct about Westward expansion being pivotal to the success and development of the U.S.A.
It brought upon many technological advancements and changes in transportation and communication. Among these were the steamboat, the steam locomotive, and the telegraph which were all extremely important within the economy and everyday life.
Manifest Destiny also predicated many advances in technology, communication, and travel.
Each age tries to form its own conception of the past. Each age writes the history of the past anew with reference to the conditions uppermost in its own time. --Frederick Turner
The Frontier Thesis created a new concept of "The West"
Sometimes controversially, Turner explored concepts of freedom, nationalism and settlement.
Yes, he was right. We won the west... but at what cost.