History of the American Frontier. Pulitzer Prize for History 1925. Illustrated

History of the American Frontier, 1763–1893 by Frederic L. Paxson is a groundbreaking and influential study of how the frontier shaped the development of the United States. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1925, this work expands on Frederick Jackson Turner's "frontier thesis," offering a detailed chronicle of westward expansion over more than a century. Paxson traces the movement of settlers from the Appalachian Mountains to the Pacific coast, examining the economic, political, and cultural transformations that accompanied each stage of growth. He explores the impact of migration, conflict with Native American populations, the rise of agriculture and railroads, and the emergence of new states and social structures born from frontier life. More than just a story of conquest and expansion, Paxson’s work presents the frontier as a dynamic force that shaped American democracy, identity, and innovation. Rich in research and insight, this book remains a foundational text for understanding the American experience and its restless spirit of exploration.