After reading Cronon\u2019s explanation of Turner\u2019s \u201cThe Significance of the Frontier in American History,\u201d I am willing to cut Turner some slack. Rather than piggyback on the numerous critics of Turner, I think the most useful tactic is to consider what Turner got right. Cronon frames the issue succinctly, \u201cthe key question, then, is whether we can escape the analytical weaknesses of Turner\u2019s \u2018vanishing frontier\u2019 and still retain his narrative strength (170). Cronon argues that instead of harping on Turner\u2019s obvious shortcoming, we should analysis the weight of his work.<\/p>\n

Cronon\u2019s piece contextualizes the work of Turner. Ironically, Turner was the pioneer of a field of history that celebrates the lives of individuals that found a new place for themselves in an unfamiliar domain. As the creator of an important subgenre of American History, Turner was bound to get some things wrong. As Caldwell point out in his post, Turner created the notion of the frontier. Because of Turner\u2019s creation of the frontier and the study of the history of the west, Turner deserves to be commended for his innovation. As is the case with all new creations, those that follow constantly point out the flaws. I believe Turner\u2019s flaws are excusable\u2014granted we understand both the time period of his work and his addition to the study of United State\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Also, I especially enjoyed Cronon\u2019s depiction of Turner\u2019s legacy. Cronon contends that Turner\u2019s narrative of the west has never been changed, \u201cwe continue to follow the Turnerian plot (167).\u201d Besides continuing to employ Turner\u2019s narrative of the West, historians credit Turner with creating environmental history. Environmental history came from Western History and Western History came from Turner (171).<\/p>\n

To conclude, I find it unnecessary to continue to attack Turner\u2019s work. I believe it is more important to document his strengths more than his weaknesses. The flaws in his argument are apparent; it seems counterintuitive to keep pointing them out. Turner\u2019s place in history and his work must be recognized going forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After reading Cronon\u2019s explanation of Turner\u2019s \u201cThe Significance of the Frontier in American History,\u201d I am willing to cut Turner some slack. Rather than piggyback on the numerous critics of Turner, I think the most useful tactic is to consider what Turner got right. Cronon frames the issue succinctly, \u201cthe key question, then, is whether … <\/p>\n

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