People of the American Frontier: The Coming of the American Revolution

(Hardback)

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Life on the American frontier in the decades before the Revolution was extremely difficult and uncertain. While the possibility of new territory in the West cleared the way for economic expansion, those who forged into the frontier faced long and arduous struggles. Farmers worked endlessly to clear a few scant acres for production. Traders struggled to reach remote areas to bargain with local tribes. Merchants weighted the possibilities for enormous profit with huge risk. Native Americans faced increasing encroachment upon their traditional lands. Women, slaves, and indentured servants played a greater role in opening the frontier than many sources have indicated. Each of these groups depended on the others in some way, and collectively they formed the patchwork that was life on the frontier. At the same time, the existence of the frontier exerted a dominant influence on the colonial economy. Using a wealth of material from primary sources, Dunn paints a vivid picture of a world caught up in the winds of change, a world poised on the edge of revolution. Using a wealth of material from primary sources, People of the American Frontier paints a vivid picture of life on the American frontier in the fifteen years preceding the Revolution.

Reviews

This work offers an in-depth look at life on the American frontier in the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War.[t]here is a wealth of information to be found here.[a] useful resource for research papers. Recommended. * Library Media Connection *
[P]resents an informative and often surprising survey that provides valuable insight into areas often neglected by other historians. Relying heavily on primary sources, Dunn illustrates the grinding life of solitary farmers, the rapidly evolving culture of various Native American groups, and the role of women and slaves in the economy. This is a well-researched and very readable examination of frontier life that has value for both specialists and general readers with an interest in the period. * Booklist *

Author Bio

Walter S. Dunn Jr. is an independent writer and researcher. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.