History1302 - The Significance of the Frontier in American

History 1302

Document Analysis Assignment 2

Follow the links below to read excerpts from Frederick Jackson Turner’s paper: ‘ The Significance of the Frontier in American History, 1893’, and Josiah Strong’s ‘ Our Country’. Upon reading these documents, write a one-page analysis of their work as it relates to American Imperialism, keeping the following questions in mind. Be sure to formulate an argument regarding what these two documents have to say about or contribute to American Imperialism.

What do each of these men think of the white race? What do they think about the nonwhite races? Do these ideas seem reflective of American ideas about race at the time? Do they suggest that there are any differences between Americans and Europeans? If so, what are those differences? What do they suggest is meant to be America’s position in the world? Does religion play a role in either man’s view of the world? How might Josiah Strong’s ideas contribute to American Imperialism of the period? How might Frederick Jackson Turner’s work contribute to it? Do you think that any of the ideas expressed in either excerpt still exist today?

Frederick Jackson Turner: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1893turner.asp

Josiah Strong: JosiahStrongExcerptOurCountry.pdf (sharpschool.com)