This international conference will study the forces which shaped frontier or borderland communities around the world and to examine which forces could be considered common to all societies and which forces were unique to particular times and places. In particular, we hope to examine whether violence or disorder were intrinsic features of all these communities and the extent to which factors such as interethnic or interracial rivalry, the weakness of government institutions, social and/or geographic mobility, ‘class’ and ethnic conflict and the comparative fluidity of social structures, served to increase disorder within different communities.

The conference forms part of a British Arts and Humanities Research Council project ‘From “Peaceable Kingdom” to “Wild West”: Violence and Disorder on the Early American Frontier.’ The project focuses on frontier societies in the early trans-Appalachian west, from early-eighteenth century Pennsylvania to early nineteenth century Ohio, from mid-eighteenth century Virginia to mid-nineteenth century Upper Canada. By examining how the experiences of frontier settlers differed across this region, and then by comparing this region in a broader geographic and chronological context, we hope to gain insights into the forces which shaped both the early American frontier and frontiers in general.

Papers are welcome on all aspects of frontier and borderland society. Scholars interested in presenting papers should submit via e-mail a brief abstract (250 words) and vita to m.c.ward@dundee.ac.uk.
Proposals for entire panels are particularly welcome and include a title of the proposed panel along with each presenter’s paper title/abstract and vita and the name and vita of a chair.
All proposals should be received no later than December 1, 2008.