1. The Frontier Heritage
by Achmadyanta Bagus P.
125110100111035
American Studies

2. The impact of the American frontier
Self-reliance and the rugged individualists
American macho heroes
Inventiveness and the “can-do” spirit
Equality of opportunity

3. Despite the fact that frontier happened about a century ago, it
is still an obvious evidence in the US until today.
Frontier had become important aspect in shaping American
values.
Frontier experience had been depicted in form of movies and TV
shows, featuring a cowboy fighting Indian.
Until this very day, most Americans become aware of the darker
side of the settlement, later known as the time when Americans
Indians were mistreated.
The Impact of the American Frontier

4. Frontier experience began around 1600s until 1890 when the
settlement happened.
Most frontier usually found in the western part of the
country, where both land and life were full of ore and rather
primitive.
Successfully settling one frontier after another, they had
moved across the continent for 2,700 miles – which made them
think that it was their destiny to control the land.
Later on, Native Americans were given some parts of the land
(reservations) though government later broke their promise
which created a misery for most Indians.

5. Most Americans are still inspired by the frontier as the value in
its original and purest form.
Examples of its value:
Hard working attitude
Competitive race for success
Gold rush
Daily life on the frontier was usually less dramatic, although
many stories of frontier adventure depicted life in the hard
way.

6. Individualism, self-reliance, and equality of opportunity had
become the most important attribute within the frontier
heritage in America.
Americans tend to view it as the model of free individual
because of less control over individual on the frontier.
Frontier still serves as the essential part for a nostalgic view
of the early Unite States and people in the Western part still
hold these beliefs.

7. Even though most frontier were free of society’s rules, most of
them denied many of society’s comforts and conveniences.
It encouraged them to be self-reliant.
- constructed their own houses
- hunting for food
- tended their own gardens
- made their own outifts and household items
Self-reliance and the Rugged
Individualists

8. Self-reliant later become a model of the basic American male
hero with rugged individualism.
Means that they were physically tough and severely
accostumed by the condition of frontier life.
Most of these men were described as follows:
- skilled with guns or other weapons
- need no help from others
- appears as lonely, unmarried man
- strong enough to protect himself

9. Types of heroic rugged individualist
Man against the wilderness
(before the Civil War of the 1860s)
A man who was capable of
mastering the harsh challenges
of the wilderness
Mainly admired as a survivor and
conqueror instead of a fighter
Man against man (lasted from
1860s until the 1890s)
Fought for control of the
remaining lands
Commonly known as “the Wild
West”
Primarily known as a fighter and
a typical defender of good
against evil

10. However, it was later the Wild West hero which had more
impact on the idea of heroism.
In fact, the Wild West hero even inspired numerous western
movies.

11. Wild West hero has helped shape the American idea of “macho”
or male strength.
Mostly had the ability to show their strength through physical
violence.
The model of macho hero was later used in numerous setting;
such as soldiers in battle, tough detectives, or policeman
fighting crimes.
American Macho Heroes

12. These heroes are capable of fighting with their fist or guns, or
even both.
Macho male heroes still dominated the American
entertainment, both movies and TV, as well as in video games.

13. However, the image of rugged individualist has been criticized
for being “too simple”.
It overlook the importance of self-reliance as well as the role
played by cooperation in the frontier era.
Second, it was also mostly biased to masculine figure, thus
failed to look at the existence of pioneer women and their
traits.
It was also emphasized the idea that violence and gun-usage
are able to solve problems.
Guns were still used, although not as much as portrayed in the
movies where violence were increased gradually.

14. There are a lot of concern regarding the impact of the violence
in movies on young people.
Many young people have become used to violence.
The problem has escalated dramatically
- high school shooting
- inner cities gang members who possess guns
Ironically, the problem was spread to a peaceful suburbs area.

15. Americans have the right to “bear arms” which is granted by
the constitution.
Recently, there are about 200 milion guns in the US, mostly
own by those who enjoys hunting or gun collector.
Gun ownership increased after the 9/11 incident, which up to
50% of the US households.
It reflects the American tendency to take the law into their own
hands as Americans believe that police cannot protect them
well.
It is still debateable whether gun ownership should be limited
or not.

16. Self-reliance has encouraged the inventiveness as frontier
people were constantly facing new problems and situations.
Many people from other countries were impressed by their
ability to invent something new.
The American pioneers’ inventive skills enabled them to solve a
problem beyond the abilities of common men and women.
Inventiveness and the “Can-do” Spirit

17. It had finally spread throughout the population, thus becoming
a national character trait.
Later, it led to American’s “can-do” spirit, believing that a
problem can be solved easily.
Finally, it gave Americans a sense of optimism about
themselves and their country, then becoming a source of
Americans’ pride and inspiration.

18. The frontier acted as an expression of equality of opportunity in
its purest form.
There were a tendency where people were treating each other
on the equal level.
Frontiers were mostly known on their saying: “What’s above the
ground is more important than what’s beneath the ground”.
It offered a new beginning for those who failed; either in
business, politics, or even love, to advance themselves to the
west for success and a better life.
There was always a need for workers on the frontier.
Equality of Opportunity

19. The gap between the rich and the poor was not as great as
those in the more settle regions.
People lived, dressed, and acted alike, they also tend to mix
socially as there were never inferior/superior act in the society.
The American frontier may not be the key to American
development, but it is certainly one major factor as it strengthen
the American ideals of individual freedom, self-reliance, and
equality of opportunity.
As the country expanded, these frontier values gradually
became American national values.

20. THANK YOU!