I have an informal debate on the Turner thesis coming up, and I would just like to know any points anyone might have to either defend or attack its credibility. My side has been assigned to defend it. The reading the attacking side has been given is "How the West Was Really Won" by Miriam Horn.

Of course I would like to know how best to defend it, but strong points for either side would be great.

Thanks for any help.

Perhaps it's just been too long since I've been in the class, but what exactly is the "Turner thesis?"

It's a thesis about how the development of the frontier is what shaped the USA to be what it is today, and it's what made us unique. Also it's what de-Europeanized us. It was written in 1893.

The article attacking it basically points out the errors Turner made, like how he completely left out the atrocities against the Indian, and he gave little or no credit to women and Mexican-Americans.


Edit: It's also known as the Frontier Thesis.