How Did Frederick Jackson Turner Shaped American Imperialism

Frederick Jackson Turner was a historian who believed that the strength and vitality of the American spirit lay in westward expansion. He felt expansion was the most important factor in American History. Turner spoke at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and told the audience that all the land in the American western frontier had been explored and settled. (Kaplan) He spoke that expansion could continue as long as America broadened its notion of “manifest destiny” and looked beyond the continental borders towards the rest of the world. His thesis “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” stated that with the closing of the American western frontier, Americans will continually demand a wider field for expansion. (Rereading) His message was extremely important to Americans that were increasingly valuing imperial expansion. (Frederick)
Alfred Mahan was a naval strategist, historian and a
(Imperialism). All four of these men influenced and shaped American imperialism by laying the groundwork for a new type of foreign policy that led the U.S. into Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam during the Spanish-American War. By urging America to build a powerful navy to protect America’s interest, both in America and overseas. In the 1700’s, George Washington urged America to “steer clear of foreign affairs” and his advice was followed for over a hundred years. With imperialism, America dove headfirst into competition with other countries for markets and resources. Parts of each theory have been incorporated to create this age of imperialism. Turner’s insistence on expansion to new territories, along with Mahan’s urgent need to build and maintain a strong navy and Spencer’s attitude of “survival of the fittest” and Fiske’s societal theories all merged to bring America into this new and necessary age for