- 1. What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by Daniel Walker Howe is a comprehensive historical narrative that explores the profound changes and developments in the United States during a pivotal 33-year period, characterized by rapid industrialization, expansion westward, and significant social reform. Howe meticulously examines the interactions between politics, culture, and society, illustrating how the aftermath of the War of 1812 ignited a wave of nationalism and innovation, leading to the emergence of a distinct American identity. He delves into the impact of technological advancements such as the telegraph and railroads, which transformed communication and commerce, while also highlighting the tensions surrounding slavery and the growing abolitionist movement that would eventually lead to political upheaval. Through a rich tapestry of events, figures, and ideologies, Howe sheds light on the complexities of American democracy, examining how faith, reform movements, and the quest for equality shaped the nation during this transformation. His work not only emphasizes the historical significance of this era but also invites readers to reflect on the enduring legacies of the choices made during this time, ultimately suggesting that the transformations of the early to mid-19th century laid the groundwork for modern America.
What is the primary subject of Daniel Walker Howe's 'What Hath God Wrought'?
A) The American Revolution and its aftermath
B) Westward expansion in the late 19th century
C) The transformation of America from 1815 to 1848
D) The Civil War and Reconstruction era
- 2. What technological innovation serves as the book's title and symbolic centerpiece?
A) The steam locomotive
B) The cotton gin
C) The printing press
D) The telegraph
- 3. What major religious movement does Howe emphasize in this period?
A) The First Great Awakening
B) The Social Gospel movement
C) The Fundamentalist movement
D) The Second Great Awakening
- 4. Which political party does Howe generally portray more favorably?
A) The Federalists
B) The Democrats
C) The Whigs
D) The Republicans
- 5. What was the primary focus of the Whig Party's American System?
A) Economic development and internal improvements
B) Abolition and social reform
C) Territorial expansion and manifest destiny
D) States' rights and limited government
- 6. What was the significance of the Erie Canal?
A) It was the first railroad in America
B) It connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic
C) It was primarily for military use
D) It divided North and South economically
- 7. What was the primary cause of the Mexican-American War according to Howe?
A) Economic competition
B) American expansionism
C) Religious differences
D) Mexican aggression
- 8. Which religious group experienced significant growth during this period?
A) Catholics
B) Quakers
C) Puritans
D) Methodists
- 9. What was the 'Market Revolution'?
A) The development of international trade
B) The shift to a commercial economy
C) The rise of industrial capitalism
D) The stock market crash of 1837
- 10. What was the significance of the Seneca Falls Convention?
A) It created the Republican Party
B) It established religious freedom
C) It ended slavery in New York
D) It launched the women's rights movement
- 11. What was the primary goal of the American Colonization Society?
A) To abolish slavery immediately
B) To promote western settlement
C) To resettle free blacks in Africa
D) To convert Native Americans
- 12. How does Howe characterize the period's transportation improvements?
A) As primarily military projects
B) As environmentally destructive
C) As transformative for national unity
D) As economically insignificant
- 13. What was the 'Second Party System'?
A) Regional political alliances
B) Competition between Democrats and Whigs
C) The Federalist vs. Republican conflict
D) The modern Republican vs. Democratic system
- 14. Which reformer does Howe highlight for educational improvements?
A) Dorothea Dix
B) Elizabeth Cady Stanton
C) Horace Mann
D) William Lloyd Garrison
- 15. Which European visitor's commentary does Howe frequently cite?
A) Friedrich Engels
B) Charles Dickens
C) Karl Marx
D) Alexis de Tocqueville
- 16. How does Howe treat the Bank War?
A) As a minor political dispute
B) As a constitutional crisis
C) As a conflict over economic policy
D) As a personal vendetta
- 17. Which Supreme Court case strengthened federal power?
A) Marbury v. Madison
B) Dred Scott v. Sandford
C) Gibbons v. Ogden
D) Plessy v. Ferguson
- 18. Which political party dominated American politics during much of this period?
A) The Republican Party
B) The Federalist Party
C) The Whig Party
D) The Democratic Party
- 19. What concept does Howe use to describe the period's communication revolution?
A) The media explosion
B) The printing revolution
C) The information revolution
D) The digital age
- 20. Which famous religious figure emerges during the Second Great Awakening?
A) Charles Grandison Finney
B) Billy Graham
C) Martin Luther
D) John Calvin
- 21. What political controversy dominated Andrew Jackson's presidency?
A) The Alien and Sedition Acts
B) The Bank War
C) The Missouri Compromise
D) The Nullification Crisis
- 22. What was the primary economic system that developed in the North during this period?
A) Market capitalism
B) Mercantilism
C) Socialism
D) Feudalism
- 23. What social institution became increasingly controversial during this period?
A) Organized religion
B) The family
C) Slavery
D) Public education
- 24. Samuel Morse's famous first telegraph message, which gives the book its title, comes from which book of the Bible?
A) Genesis
B) Numbers
C) Psalms
D) Exodus
- 25. Which Native American group suffered the Trail of Tears during this period?
A) Sioux
B) Apache
C) Iroquois
D) Cherokee
- 26. Which intellectual movement emphasized individualism and nature?
A) Enlightenment
B) Romanticism
C) Transcendentalism
D) Realism
- 27. Which woman's rights convention occurred in 1848, within Howe's timeframe?
A) Women's Rights Assembly
B) National Women's Convention
C) Feminist Congress
D) Seneca Falls Convention
- 28. Which religious group experienced significant growth and persecution during this period?
A) Quakers
B) Mormons
C) Puritans
D) Catholics
- 29. What political concept did John C. Calhoun advocate?
A) Nullification
B) Popular sovereignty
C) Manifest Destiny
D) States' rights
- 30. What was the 'spoils system' introduced by Andrew Jackson?
A) Allocating government contracts
B) Rewarding political supporters with offices
C) Distributing land to settlers
D) Tax collection system
- 31. Which invention revolutionized cotton production?
A) Cotton gin
B) Steam engine
C) Power loom
D) Spinning jenny
- 32. Which religious leader founded the Mormon church?
A) William Miller
B) Joseph Smith
C) John Smith
D) Brigham Young
- 33. Who was the first message 'What hath God wrought' sent by?
A) Samuel Morse
B) Andrew Jackson
C) John Quincy Adams
D) Henry Clay
- 34. Which president's administration receives significant critical analysis in the book?
A) James Madison
B) Andrew Jackson
C) James K. Polk
D) Martin Van Buren
- 35. Which reform movement gained momentum during this period?
A) Abolitionism
B) Progressive Era reforms
C) Women's suffrage exclusively
D) Civil Rights Movement
- 36. Which reformer focused on education for the deaf?
A) Elizabeth Stanton
B) Horace Mann
C) Dorothea Dix
D) Thomas Gallaudet
- 37. What was the Lowell system?
A) Religious communities
B) Textile factory labor
C) Political organizing
D) Agricultural communes
- 38. Which African American abolitionist published 'The North Star'?
A) Harriet Tubman
B) Frederick Douglass
C) Nat Turner
D) Sojourner Truth
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