The American Frontier Research Paper

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One of the most well-known and important myths in American culture is the American frontier. The particular era symbolizes certain moral and ethical values in America that were represented in a time where the country grew from the East Coast settlement, to a coast-to-coast progressive nation. Paul Bunyan’s story is easily one of the most famous myths of the American Frontier. He represented the pioneers of that time, although the challenges and conditions of the actual frontiersmen and pioneers did not quite live up. Although Bunyan’s stories were not published until the early twentieth century, his stories were passed down by people telling the tale of the “Last of the Frontier Demigods” (Hoffman, 199). “Paul Bunyan was the most famous …show more content…

The motivation and drive behind the progression was opportunity, expansion, and concepts such as Manifest Destiny, out “God given” right to expand (Bowles, 2011). The idea of the frontier was significant in American culture between 1860 and 1893 because it was considered by many to be “the last frontier” (Jackson, 1920). Since the start of the European settlements, expansion in the West had always aided in inspiring those that dreamed of a new life. The importance to the American people rose more than ever when the last of the frontier was immersed into civilization. The closing of the American Frontier “marked the closing of a great historical movement” (Harris, 2008). Initially, the frontier was predominantly to the East, with heavy European influence. As the frontier moved West the idea of America became more and more relevant. The American Frontier represented development, progression, and individualism for this country. This era was defining for American …show more content…

As he would journey into a territory and establish a settlement, his family would help with farming and essential needs. The women and children would plow crops and prepare food, while the man hunted and built shelter. Basically, these families were isolated from roads, schools, churches, and other settlements. They had an opportunity to be the first settlers in a new land, preparing for the arrival of new settlers. The labor and isolation from society was a challenge to them, depending only on the members of the family and cut off from the world. As people started to come into the land after them and settle, the close of the frontier came to pass. These frontiersman and early settlers transitioned into pioneers, innovating into innovations and progressive development. The opportunities for the pioneers existed in the ability to forge new developments, and be the forefront of

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