Was the City or the Frontier in the Early 1900s More Influential in Shaping American Identity?
| MA3 Argument Outline | |
| Prompt Question: | Was the city or the frontier in the early 1900s more influential in shaping American identity?
The westward movement played a significant role in shaping American culture and democracy. The frontier fostered individualism through the interaction between civilians and the uncivilized who occupied the area. The frontier subjected settlers to challenges and new social and economic opportunities, which propelled outstanding American characters and behaviors (Turner, 59). Urban development promoted liberation, which led to the Great Migration, the movement of African American populations. This sequence of events led to the Harlem Renaissance, a Black cultural mecca. Later, in the early 20th century, social development and artistic ventures emerged in the environment. African American culture was well manifested during the Harlem Renaissance, evidenced through artworks, music, literature, and performance. Carroll (7) depicts the significance of urbanization in American history. Urbanization thrived best during the Progressive Era and the Gilded Age, influencing the social, economic, and cultural aspects. Industrialization and immigration played a crucial role in the westward movement and urban growth, which continue to influence American character.
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| Answer/Thesis
(a paragraph) |
The frontier has played an essential role in the development of American character and identity, fostering social development, economic growth, cultural representation, democracy, and individualism among the residents. Urbanization and immigration have led to population booms in some states, influencing social, economic, and political reforms.
The population shift prompted the development of an accommodative and supportive environment for the emigrants and the Black population by recruiting them into the white community following their domination in the regions they occupied. The intermingling between Blacks and Americans during the Harlem Renaissance awakened a need for social and political changes to address racially related challenges that would affect growth and collaboration.
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| Reason 1 (a paragraph) | The Harlem Renaissance, a movement of African Americans from the South to the North, particularly Harlem in New York, had a great influence on social changes in American culture. The New Negro movement brought a revolution in the artistic and social life of Black Americans.
Locke contributed to the liberation of how African American culture was perceived by influencing other artists to produce art and music that supported their culture. |
| Quote 1 | “The New Negro is keenly responsive as an augury of a new democracy in American culture, bringing self-respect and self-dependance to the black community”(Locke, 9) |
| Citation for quote1 | Locke, Alain LeRoy. “Harlem.” Survey Graphic, 1925. |
| Reason 2 (a paragraph) | Turner depicts the significance of the closure of the frontier in American history. He states that the westward movement led to physical development and the formation of American culture. The frontier supported an interactive environment for all settlers, encouraging individualism.
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| Quote 2 | “The frontier represented a zone of interaction between civilization and savagery, and the experiences within this space fostered individualism and egalitarianism among settlers.” |
| Citation for quote 2 | Turner, Fredrick Jackson. From “The Frontier in American History.” |
| Reason 3 (a paragraph) | Turner depicts that the frontier contributed to numerous reforms and changes that have shaped and continue to influence American history. American history results from different forces, including political reforms, democratic ideals, and challenges and new ventures encountered on the frontier, prompting economic and social growth. The frontier contributed a unique character compared to the influence of European factors. |
| Quote 3 | “The existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward explain American development.” |
| Citation for quote 3 | Turner, Fredrick Jackson. From “The Frontier in American History.” |
| Reason 4 (a paragraph) | During the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, urbanization played a significant role in influencing changes in economic, social, and cultural factors. Immigration contributed to urban growth, necessitating technological innovations and political reforms to align with the changes and emerging challenges. The demand for agricultural efficiency led to rural-urban migration, greatly impacting agricultural production in rural settlements. |
| Quote 4 | “The sweeping of urbanization of the U.S. population was fueled by the swelling numbers of European immigrants, growing rural populations displaced by increasing agricultural efficiency, and the emerging industrial focus of the American economy transforming the face of the American nation.” |
| Citation for quote 4 | Carroll, James. “Urbanization during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era: An overview.” |
| Warrant/Conclusion
(a paragraph) |
The urban growth and westward movement significantly influenced American culture and identity. The Harlem Renaissance enhanced liberation, democracy, and freedom of expression among individuals from different racial groups.
Industrialization and immigration led to urbanization, resulting in reforms in social, political, and economic aspects. The interaction of civilized and uncivilized people propelled cohesion, which contributed to democracy and individualism, continuing to influence American practices. |
| Works Cited
(in proper order and CMS format) |
Carroll, James. 2008. “Urbanization During the Gilded Age and Progressive Era: An Overview.” In AP U.S. History Urbanization, 7–15. The College Board. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/US_History_Urbanization_SF.pdf.
Locke, Alain LeRoy. “Harlem.” Survey Graphic, 1925. Turner, Fredrick Jackson. From “The Frontier in American History.” In For the Record: A Documentary of America. 6th ed., Vol. 2: From Reconstruction Through Contemporary Times. Eds. David E. Shi and Holly A. Mayers. 59-61. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2016. |
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Question 
Please see the attached instructions and template.
- “The Frontier Thesis” by Frederick Jackson Turner
- “The Harlem Renaissance” by Alain LeRoy Locke
HIST 1302 MA3 Template
Urban growth and westward expansion shaped American identity in the early 1900s. Alan Locke and Frederick Jackson Turner highlight key concepts and the city and the frontier that you may argue had more of an impact in shaping American identity. Use Locke and Turner’s writings and a source you find on your own to write a deconstructed argument.
CMS Citations for Primary Documents:
Locke, Alain LeRoy. “Harlem.” Survey Graphic, 1925.
Turner, Fredrick Jackson. From “The Frontier in American History.” In For the Record: A Documentary of America. 6th ed., Vol. 2: From Reconstruction Through Contemporary Times. Eds. David E. Shi and Holly A. Mayers. 59-61. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2016.

Was the City or the Frontier in the Early 1900s More Influential in Shaping American Identity?
- Was the city or the frontier in the early 1900s more influential in shaping American identity? Your answer is the basis of your thesis statement.
- Write a strong clear thesis statement/introduction paragraph based on your answer to the question.
- As evidence, provide four reasons (supporting details) for your thesis (argument). Each reason should be explained in a one paragraph answer.
- Include a relevant quote from a primary and or secondary source for each reason.
- Write a citation for each quote
- Finally, write your warrant (conclusion). Explain why your evidence supports
your thesis and why the reader should agree with your argument - Create a Works Cited list of the works you cited and use proper CMS formatting.
- You are required to quote and cite both primary documents from the prompt and the secondary source that you find.
- Please make sure to utilize the LRC Search Engine to find a good secondary source for this assignment. Remember your practice with using keywords to find relevant sources.
| MA3 Argument Outline | |
| Prompt Question: | Was the city or the frontier in the early 1900s more influential in shaping American identity? |
| Answer/Thesis
(a paragraph) |
(Example, write your own thesis statement here)
The (city/frontier) was more influential in shaping American identity because… |
| Reason 1 (a paragraph) | Write your answer here |
| Quote 1 | Write your answer here |
| Citation for quote1 | Write your answer here |
| Reason 2 (a paragraph) | Write your answer here |
| Quote 2 | Write your answer here |
| Citation for quote 2 | Write your answer here |
| Reason 3 (a paragraph) | Write your answer here |
| Quote 3 | Write your answer here |
| Citation for quote 3 | Write your answer here |
| Reason 4 (a paragraph) | Write your answer here |
| Quote 4 | Write your answer here |
| Citation for quote 4 | Write your answer here |
| Warrant/Conclusion
(a paragraph) |
Write your answer here |
| Works Cited
(in proper order and CMS format) |
Write your answer here |