Published in the prestigious Maine History journal (Volume 47, Number 1, January 2013), this insightful 5-page article challenges the classic "frontier" narrative popularized by Frederick Jackson Turner. Mullally, an associate professor at the University of New Brunswick and author of the upcoming Unpacking the Black Bag: Country Doctor Stories from the Maritimes and Northern New England, 1900-1950, argues that Maine's history is a vibrant tapestry of Aboriginal, French, and English influences. From territorial rivalries to cultural fusions, these borderlands reveal fluid identities that persist today.
Key Insights from Maine Borderlands History
- The Madawaska Myth: Dive into the "Republic of Madawaska," a quasi-independent cultural haven along the Saint John River Valley. This Francophone region's 1930s fraternal order even designed its own coat of arms—highlighting transborder communities that defied national lines.
- From Borderlands to Borders: Drawing on scholars like Jeremy Adelman and Stephen Aron, Mullally traces how informal local traditions evolved into rigid national boundaries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Yet, social, economic, and environmental ties keep these zones "unraveled."
- Challenging the Frontier Epic: Why has American historiography fixated on western frontiers? Mullally spotlights the Northeast's overlooked dynamism, where border peripheries influenced imperial centers and reshaped ethnic, cultural, and transnational relationships.
This piece is a timely resurgence in borderlands studies, echoing John Nieto-Phillips' call to move "from margins to mainstream." It's essential reading for enthusiasts of Canadian-American history, geography, and U.S. regional narratives—perfect for understanding how Maine's position north of the 49th parallel fueled commerce, conflict, and community.
Why Read This Now?
In an era of global interconnectedness, Mullally's work reminds us that borders are never static. Whether you're a history buff, educator, or researcher exploring Maine's cultural watersheds, this article offers fresh perspectives on how "things happen in the borderlands that change the center."
Download the full PDF here on our site for free access. Originally from DigitalCommons@UMaine, it's open and ready to inspire your next deep read.
What’s your take on Maine's borderland legacy? Share in the comments below! #MaineHistory #Borderlands #AmericanFrontier #USCanadaBorder #SashaMullally #NortheasternHistory
Recommended Citation: Mullally, Sasha. "Seeing Beyond the Frontier: Maine Borders, the Borderlands, and American History." Maine History 47, 1 (2013): 5-9.