The End of the Myth

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From a Pulitzer Prize finalist comes a new interpretation of the frontier's significance, tracing its evolution from early westward expansion to the contemporary border wall. The notion of an open frontier has been integral to American identity, representing a future filled with promise and underpinning the belief in the nation as exceptional—democratic, individualistic, and forward-looking. However, this ideal has shifted to the border wall, a symbol of division. Acclaimed historian Greg Grandin examines the frontier's meaning throughout U.S. history, from the American Revolution to the election of 2016. He argues that America's relentless expansion, through wars and market openings, acted as a "gate of escape," diverting attention from domestic issues like racism and inequality. This deflection allowed these problems to fester unaddressed. The 2008 financial crisis and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have since closed this gate, redirecting political tensions back home. Grandin posits that this shift explains the rise of reactionary populism and the polarization that propelled Trump to the presidency. While the border wall's construction remains uncertain, it stands as a symbolic marker of the decline of American exceptionalism.