The Frontier

 

What is it?

     Imaginary line between wilderness and

           civilization

     US Census Bureau defined it as:

           Less than 6 but more than 2 people

           per square mile

     By 1890, the frontier was considered

           “closed”

 

Why did people “Go West” as Horace Greeley encouraged?

 

Search for adventure and thrills

    

Economic opportunity:

     search for land

     animals (for their pelts)

     gold and silver

 

Search for greater democracy/escape from class distinctions of Eastern cities