Aron-LessonsConquestTowards-1994

Introduction

  • Author: Stephen Aron, Department of History, Princeton University.

  • Publication Details: Pacific Historical Review, May 1994, Vol. 63, No. 2, pp. 125-147.

Historical Context of Western Historiography

  • Frederick Jackson Turner’s Thesis: A cornerstone of understanding American history, emphasizing the significance of the frontier.

  • Post-Turner Era: Historians critique Turner's oversimplifications and omissions in depicting the frontier's role.

  • Turner-Bussing vs. Turner-Busting: Shift from defending Turner's ideas to critiquing and redefining western history.

Critical Reinterpretations of Western History

  • New Western Historians: A group distancing from Turner’s influence, emphasizing a more nuanced view of the West.

    • Patricia Limerick: Accused Turner of perpetuating a triumphalist view; advocated for understanding the West through multiple perspectives, including race, gender, and class.

    • Limerick’s framework excludes the simplistic frontier narrative, encouraging deeper analysis of western history.

  • Richard White: Offers an expansive view of the West, including diverse populations affected by expansion.

    • Highlights the role of the federal government in shaping western development, diverging from the cult of individualism present in Turner's narrative.

The Nature of the Frontier

  • Frontier Critique: The term is criticized for its narrowness; it should encapsulate the convergence of cultures rather than just exploration and settlement by white men.

  • An inclusive understanding of the frontier can enrich the narrative of Greater American History, emphasizing collaboration and conflict between various cultures.

Continuities and Discontinuities

  • Importance of understanding the trans-Appalachian West for comprehending the trans-Mississippi West.

  • Historical Lessons: The colonization process drew on experiences from earlier encounters and contested territories.

  • Environmental Factors: Aspects like climate played critical roles; understanding these is essential for understanding differing colonial approaches.

Political and Economic Impacts on Western Development

  • Relationship between the West and the federal government has been complex; westerners relied on federal support while simultaneously rebelling against it.

  • Federal policies shaped land distribution and economic development throughout history, significantly impacting settlers' lives.

Intersection of Cultures at the Frontier

  • The frontier served as a cultural exchange zone; its definition is fluid and can incorporate various experiences and interactions among peoples.

  • Some historians argue that understanding the frontier as a multicultural space enriches historical analysis of the Great West.

Challenges in Greater Western History

  • Ongoing debates about where to draw the boundaries of the West lead to conflicting interpretations.

  • The historical narrative needs to balance Anglo-American stories with the experiences of indigenous populations and other ethnic groups.

Future of Western Historiography

  • Emphasis on a broader definition of western history allows for a more comprehensive and less ethnocentric approach.

  • Historians are encouraged to contribute to a richer understanding of how conquest, colonization, and cultural exchanges shaped the development of the West.

Conclusion

  • A Greater Western History is proposed, which transcends simplistic notions of how the West was won.

  • Encourages collaboration across historiographical perspectives to create a more inclusive narrative that represents the diverse experiences of all peoples in western history.