Frontier Rhetoric in American Politics: A Study of JFK, Trump, and Obama

Name: Jasmin Noack
Course: Pioneers! O Pioneers! Frontier Imaginations in American Literature
Semester: WiSe 24/25
Matriculation Number: 5188344
E-Mail: [email protected]

2
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3
2. Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................ 4
2.1 The Frontier Myth ......................................................................................... 4
2.2 Frontier Rhetoric in Political Discourse ......................................................... 4
3. Historical Context: Frontier Rhetoric in 20th-Century Politics ............................... 5
3.1 John F. Kennedy’s “New Frontier” Speech (1960) ........................................ 5
3.2 The Cold War and Space Race .................................................................... 6
3.3 Comparing the Past and the Present ........................................................... 7
4. Contemporary Uses of Frontier Rhetoric in Politics ............................................. 8
4.1 Case Studies of Political Speeches .............................................................. 8
4.1.1 Donald Trump’s “Space Force” Speech (2018) ..................................... 8
4.1.2 Barack Obama’s White House Frontiers Conference Speech (2016) . 10
4.2 Frontier Rhetoric in Policy and Media ......................................................... 12
4.2.1 Immigration Debates and Border Rhetoric .......................................... 12
4.2.2 Technology and AI as Frontiers ........................................................... 13
4.2.3 Global Influence and Diplomacy .......................................................... 13
5. Critical Analysis: Reinforcement vs. Challenge to Traditional Frontier Ideals .... 14
5.1 Reinforcement of American Exceptionalism ............................................... 14
5.2 Challenges and Shifts in Meaning .............................................................. 15
6. Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 16
7. Sources ............................................................................................................. 18

3
Frontier Rhetoric in Contemporary American
Politics
1. Introduction
It started with the earliest settlements on the North American continent and has
continued until this day: The Frontier Myth. The myth of the frontier used to play a
significant role in American political rhetoric, especially throughout the last two
centuries, but still holds enduring power in political culture.
In this term paper, I will face the question how the language of the frontier is employed
in contemporary American political rhetoric, and what ideological purposes it serves.
My thesis statement is that frontier rhetoric continues to influence contemporary
American politics, reinforcing traditional ideals like American exceptionalism while
adapting to modern concerns such as technology, space, and global challenges.
By contemporary politics, I refer to sources from the current decade, as well as the last
decade (2010 – 2025). That includes the analysis of political speeches, official
documents, and media discourse. I will, however, also include historical sources to
create comparisons and a theoretical background.
I will begin my term paper by providing theoretical framework, including an explanation
of the Frontier Myth itself, as well as an introduction to frontier rhetoric in political
discourses. I will then continue with the historical context, focusing primarily on frontier
rhetoric in 20th-century politics. Kennedy’s “New Frontier” speech, the Cold War and
Space Race, as well as a comparison between the past and the present will be part of
that chapter. For my next chapter, I am going to explore the contemporary uses of
frontier rhetoric in politics, using case studies of political speeches, the first by Donald
Trump and the second by Barack Obama. This also includes the frontier rhetoric in
policy and media, meaning immigration debates and border rhetoric, technology and
AI as frontiers and global influence and diplomacy. In my last part of the term paper, I
want to perform a critical analysis opposing whether the contemporary use of frontier
rhetoric is a reinforcement or a challenge towards traditional frontier ideals.

4
I will include a mix of contemporary and historical primary sources that I am partially or
fully analyzing in my term paper. Those will be supported by the use of current scientific
literature.
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1 The Frontier Myth
The definition and origin of the frontier myth can be traced back to Frederick Jackson
Turner’s “Frontier Thesis from 1893 where he argues that the existence of the frontier
was fundamental to shaping American democracy and identity. He states: “The
existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of
American settlement westward explain American development” (Turner 1-2).
Turner links the frontier to values such as individualism, social mobility, and democracy.
He contends that the availability of land allowed for economic opportunity and self-
sufficiency, which in turn imposed democratic principles (Turner 30).
National ideologies are shaped by the frontier myth, such as Manifest Destiny and
expansionism. Manifest Destiny is the belief that the United States were destined to
expand across the North American continent. The belief was justified by the claim that
the westward expansion was a God-given right and led to a superior-inferior situation
in which the European settlers saw themselves obligated to oppress the Indigenous
people to spread their own beliefs (O’Sullivan 5).
However, Turner’s Thesis is challenged, arguing that the frontier’s effects were
conditional on political institutions. The United States had democratic institutions, so
the frontier strengthened democracy, in contrast, Latin American frontiers were
controlled by elites and led to inequality (Garcia-Jimeno & Robinson 3). Turner’s thesis
overlooks indigenous perspectives, ignoring how expansion led to displacement and
violence. The “free land” Turner describes was only available after the Native American
displacement (Garcia-Jimeno & Robinson 5).
2.2 Frontier Rhetoric in Political Discourse
Throughout history, the myth of the frontier was often used as a political metaphor. It
has been frequently used in American political rhetoric to symbolize progress,
opportunity, and national destiny. Politicians for example frame economic,

5
technological, and ideological challenges as frontiers to be conquered. That will be
described in greater detail in later chapters of this paper.
Turner’s thesis contributes to this rhetorical strategy by portraying the frontier as the
birthplace of American democracy and resilience. He argues, that the challenges of
frontier life encouraged innovation and adaptability, qualities that remain central to
American political identity (Turner 30).
The frontier as a political metaphor persists in contemporary discourse. That includes
economic policies, such as Reagan’s use of frontier language to describe free-market
expansion, where he described the economic expansion as “pushing back the frontier
of government” to allow more economic freedom and individuality (Restad 85).
This metaphor ignores the exclusionary side of the frontier experience, promoting a
narrative that makes expansion seem smooth and unproblematic (Garcia-Jimeno &
Robinson 6).
It is arguable that frontier rhetoric justifies war and racial hierarchies, framing conflicts
as civilization versus savagery. For instance, in the War on Terror, Bush used frontier
rhetoric to frame terrorists as a lawless enemy, akin to Native Americans during the
Indian Wars (Carney & Stuckey 165). The response to 9/11 was the invasion of Iraq,
which could theoretically be justified by Manifest Destiny, similar to the Indian War or
the displacement of Indigenous people during the westward expansion.
The racial and nationalistic uses of frontier rhetoric can also be applied to the rhetoric
of dominance and expansion, since “presidents once positioned themselves as Indian
fighters and the west as their frontier; they now position themselves as ‘terrorist’
fighters and the world as their frontier” (Carney & Stuckey 166). That argument not
only reinforces the thesis that Iraq was invaded in the name of Manifest Destiny, but
also applies to proxy wars during the Cold War era.
3. Historical Context: Frontier Rhetoric in 20th-Century Politics
3.1 John F. Kennedy’s “New Frontier” Speech (1960)
John F. Kennedy is one of the rather famous American presidents. He was in the office
from January 20th 1961 to November 22nd 1963, where he was assassinated. However,
he is not only well-known because of his assassination, but also for various political