Turner states that the greatness of the American frontier is that two key important values for America, tolerance and individualism, are able to thrive.
However, Turner emphasized that while tolerance and individualism are important and the vastness of the frontier allowed these values to thrive, a downside existed.
"There was scant room for the coward and the weakling in the ranks of the adventurous frontiersmen -- the pioneer settlers who first broke up the wild prairie soil, who first hewed their way into the primeval forest, who guided their white-topped wagons across the endless leagues of Indian-haunted desolation, and explored every remote mountain-chain in the restless quest for metal wealth".
[9] Roosevelt was undoubtedly pro-assimilation and expected that all immigrants should turn from their old customs and beliefs and devote themselves wholeheartedly into being American.
[10] Roosevelt felt that the Western portion of the United States needed to be subdued and conquered in a war-like manner.
The essay makes the point that to establish an American identity people need to break away from Europe, from its history, its politics, and its culture.
He says, "The history of America, from the Incas to the present must be taught in clear detail and to the letter, even if the archons of Greece are overlooked.
In his review, "A Defamer of His Race", Chesnutt expresses his frustrations with men like Thomas; mulattos who refuse to claim their heritage and support it.
[14] The entire article explains Chesnutt's mulatto views and his influence via literature on the African American culture.
Thomas made it even more difficult because his book is noted as a "review of the history of black Americans and an assessment of the challenges that faced them at the beginning of the twentieth century".
[15] Basically, the main character explains that "African Americans will only achieve a desirable standard of living—in both economic and moral sense—through association with and emulation of Anglo-Saxon society".
Howells wrote a book, An Imperative Duty which details the life of a young woman who is considered white until her Aunt explains that she is actually of African descent.
Anna J. Cooper had similar emotions; she explains, "that it is an insult to humanity and a sin against God to publish any such sweeping generalizations of a race on such meager and superficial information".
[18] Her strong sense of frustration can be understood in an article, "Tending to the Roots: Anna Julia Cooper’s Sociopolitical Thought and Activism", by Kathy L. Glass.
Glass explains that "[Cooper crosses] the boundaries of race and sex to court communities from which black women are traditionally excluded, or within which they are routinely marginalized".
[19] Howell was a member of the "white society" so he was her main oppressor but the point is, it is not fair for her life and culture to be interpreted in such a foul manner.
Cooper even expresses one of her main concerns being, "there is little point and no force of character about the beautiful and irresponsible young heroine".
[20] Her focus was equality for American citizens and foreign immigrants into the United States, and she actively worked to achieve this goal.
[21] Addams became known for social reform, including housing and sanitation issues, factory inspection, rights of immigrants, women and children, pacifism and the 8-hour day.
[21] In addition to shelter, services available at the settlement included food, education, healthcare, and a variety of social activities.