Frederick Jackson Turner's "Frontier Thesis" argued that the expansion of settlement across a frontier of "free land" created a uniquely American form of political equality, a vibrant, forward-looking individualism. Grandin explores the effect that constant, relentless expansion had on America's domestic politics. He examines the full sweep of U.S. history-- from the American Revolution to the election of 2016-- and shows that this movement deflected domestic political and economic conflicts, but meant that the country's problems, from racism to inequality, were never confronted directly. Political passions that had long been directed elsewhere are now focused back home, and the border wall-- whether or not it is built-- may well provide an allegorical tombstone marking the end of American exceptionalism. -- adapted from introduction and jacket