Answer :
Final answer:
The Transcontinental Railroad significantly influenced the American belief in the "frontier spirit" by facilitating westward expansion and embodying ideals of Manifest Destiny. It promoted migration, economic growth, and fostered values such as independence and hard work. Ultimately, the railroad became a symbol of opportunity and adventure that shaped America's national identity.
Explanation:
Influence of the Transcontinental Railroad on the Frontier Spirit
The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, significantly influenced the American belief in the "frontier spirit" by facilitating westward expansion and shaping the nation's identity. This monumental achievement connected the East and West coasts, promoting the migration of settlers and the economic development of previously inaccessible regions. As settlers traveled westward, they brought with them the ideals of Manifest Destiny, a belief in the nation's divine right to expand across the continent, which was further romanticized by artists and writers, framing these families, cowboys, and miners as heroic figures.
Additionally, the railroad allowed for increased trade and commerce, which accelerated the growth of towns and cities in the West. As noted by historian Frederick Jackson Turner, the existence of the frontier fostered distinct American values such as independence and hard work, shaping a national character that distinguished the United States from Europe’s well-established monarchies. With the closure of the frontier marked by the 1890 Census, concerns arose about the future of the nation and the underlying spirit that had driven its remarkable transformation, as Turner questioned what would happen to the American character without an open frontier to challenge and refine it.
Thus, the Transcontinental Railroad was not just a physical connection; it became a symbol of opportunity and adventure, further cementing the notion of the "frontier spirit" in the American psyche.
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