New Western Historians

The New Western Historians are a group of American academics who emerged in the late 20th century, challenging the traditional "frontier thesis" of historian Frederick Jackson Turner. Turner argued that the American frontier shaped distinctive national traits like individualism and democracy.12

The New Western Historians, including Patricia Nelson Limerick and William Cronon, criticized Turner's view for overlooking the presence and impact of Native Americans on the landscape. They emphasized the conquest and exploitation of both Indigenous peoples and the environment, viewing the frontier experience as a source of environmental disregard and an imperialist mentality. Their approach often incorporated environmental history and acknowledged the effects of economic cycles. This perspective contrasted with earlier interpretations that saw the West's development as a triumph of progressive values.1