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American frontier
References & Edit History Related Topics
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Lithograph by Currier and Ives showing pioneers with covered wagons and oxen crossing grassy plains near a stream, with dramatic mountains in the background. Map showing the Thirteen American Colonies in 1775 along the eastern coast of North America, color-coded by region: New England colonies in purple, Middle colonies in green, and Southern colonies in orange. The map also marks the Province of Quebec, Indian Reserve, and the Proclamation line of 1763, with current state and international boundaries outlined. American frontier Map illustrating the Northwest Territory as defined by the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787, covering present-day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Insets show the Ohio Company's land purchases with numbered townships and sections, and a diagram explaining how land was divided into square-mile sections, with further subdivisions labeled by acreage. Section 16 in each township is marked as reserved for public schools. Current state boundaries and years of statehood are indica Oil painting of the 1795 Treaty of Greenville signing, showing General Anthony Wayne with U.S. officers and Miami chief Little Turtle with Native American leaders in a grassy landscape. American frontier; Kentucky Whiskey Rebellion Historical map of the United States from 1783 to 1812, showing the original states in green, states admitted between 1784 and 1812 in yellow, U.S.-claimed territories in pink, the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 in orange, and disputed areas in purple. The map labels regions such as the Territory of Louisiana, Oregon Country, and Spanish and British possessions, and marks the years of statehood for newly admitted states.
The impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the U.S.
Learn how the U.S. Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance to outline settlement of the Northwest Territory

American frontier: References & Edit History

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: National Humanities Center - The Significance of the Frontier in American History (PDF). Aug 26, 2026
Updated terms for Indigenous Americans. Apr 02, 2025
Add new Web site: American Historical Association - The Significance of the Frontier in American History. Aug 22, 2024
Add new Web site: Legends of America - The American Frontier. Jun 27, 2024
Add new Web site: NC State University - College of Humanities and Social Sciences - Western frontier life in America. Jan 05, 2024
Media location adjustment. Sep 27, 2023
Adjusted media placement. Sep 08, 2023
Adjusted placement of interactive media. Sep 08, 2023
Add new Web site: GlobalSecurity.org - 1893 - Closing the Frontier. Aug 18, 2023
Add new Web site: National Humanities Center - The Significance of the Frontier in American History (PDF). May 10, 2023
Add new Web site: American Historical Association - The Significance of the Frontier in American History (1893). Feb 18, 2023
Corrected display issue. Oct 30, 2020
Add new Web site: American Heritage - How The Frontier Shaped The American Character. Jul 12, 2019
Add new Web site: Library of Congress - Research Guides - How Have American Historians Viewed the Frontier? Jul 12, 2019
New article added. Dec 17, 2018
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