The American Frontier comprises the geography, history, folklore, and cultural
expression of life in the forward wave of American expansion that began with English
colonial settlements in the early 17th century and ended with the admission of the last
mainland territories as states in 1912.
“Frontier” refers to a contrasting region at the edge of a European-American line of
settlement. American historians cover multiple frontiers but the folklore is focused
primarily on the 19th century west of the Mississippi River. Enormous popular
attention in the media focused on the Western United States in the second half of the
19th century, a period sometimes called the Old West, or the Wild West, frequently
exaggerating the romance and violence of the period.
As defined by some historians, “frontier history tells the story of the creation and
defense of communities, the use of the land, the development of markets, and the
formation of states.” They explain, “It is a tale of conquest, but also one of survival,
persistence, and the merging of peoples and cultures that gave birth and continuing life
to America.”
The established Eastern churches (Presbyterians, Episcopalians, etc.) were slow to meet.
the needs of the frontier. The Presbyterians and Congregationalists (generally
Calvinists), since they depended on well-educated ministers, were shorthanded in
evangelizing the frontier. They couldn’t produce enough ministers fast enough to
support rapid westward growth.
Most frontiersmen showed little commitment to religion until traveling evangelists.
began to appear and to produce “revivals”. The local pioneers responded.
enthusiastically to these events and, in effect, evolved their own populist religions,
especially during the Second Great Awakening (1790–1840). The Second Great
Awakening featured outdoor camp meetings lasting a week or more and which
introduced many people to organized religion for the first time. One of the largest and
most famous camp meetings took place at Cane Ridge, Kentucky in 1801.
To get to the rich new lands of the West Coast, there were two options: some sailed
around the southern tip of South America during a six-month voyage, but 400,000
others walked there on an overland route of more than 2,000 miles; their wagon trains
usually left from Missouri.
They moved in large groups under an experienced wagonmaster, bringing their clothing,
farm supplies, weapons, and animals. These wagon trains followed major rivers, crossed
prairies and mountains, and typically ended in Oregon and California. Pioneers
generally attempted to complete the journey during a single warm season, usually over
the course of six months.
When criminals were convicted, punishment was severe. Aside from the occasional
Western sheriff and Marshal, there were other various law enforcement agencies.
throughout the American frontier, such as the Texas Rangers and the North-West
Mounted Police. These lawmen were not just instrumental in keeping peace, but also in
protecting the locals from Indian and Mexican threats at the border.
Law enforcement tended to be more stringent in towns than in rural areas. Law
enforcement emphasized maintaining stability more than armed combat, focusing on
drunkenness, disarming cowboys who violated gun-control edicts and dealing with
flagrant breaches of gambling and prostitution ordinances.
Lesson Learning 