- 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 transformation of America from 1815 to 1848
B) Westward expansion in the late 19th century
C) The American Revolution and its aftermath
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 telegraph
C) The cotton gin
D) The printing press
- 3. What major religious movement does Howe emphasize in this period?
A) The Social Gospel movement
B) The Fundamentalist movement
C) The Second Great Awakening
D) The First Great Awakening
- 4. Which political party does Howe generally portray more favorably?
A) The Democrats
B) The Whigs
C) The Federalists
D) The Republicans
- 5. What was the primary focus of the Whig Party's American System?
A) States' rights and limited government
B) Abolition and social reform
C) Economic development and internal improvements
D) Territorial expansion and manifest destiny
- 6. What was the significance of the Erie Canal?
A) It connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic
B) It divided North and South economically
C) It was primarily for military use
D) It was the first railroad in America
- 7. What was the primary cause of the Mexican-American War according to Howe?
A) Mexican aggression
B) Religious differences
C) American expansionism
D) Economic competition
- 8. Which religious group experienced significant growth during this period?
A) Puritans
B) Quakers
C) Catholics
D) Methodists
- 9. What was the 'Market Revolution'?
A) The stock market crash of 1837
B) The shift to a commercial economy
C) The rise of industrial capitalism
D) The development of international trade
- 10. What was the significance of the Seneca Falls Convention?
A) It launched the women's rights movement
B) It created the Republican Party
C) It established religious freedom
D) It ended slavery in New York
- 11. What was the primary goal of the American Colonization Society?
A) To abolish slavery immediately
B) To resettle free blacks in Africa
C) To convert Native Americans
D) To promote western settlement
- 12. How does Howe characterize the period's transportation improvements?
A) As transformative for national unity
B) As environmentally destructive
C) As economically insignificant
D) As primarily military projects
- 13. What was the 'Second Party System'?
A) Competition between Democrats and Whigs
B) Regional political alliances
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) Karl Marx
B) Charles Dickens
C) Alexis de Tocqueville
D) Friedrich Engels
- 16. How does Howe treat the Bank War?
A) As a conflict over economic policy
B) As a personal vendetta
C) As a constitutional crisis
D) As a minor political dispute
- 17. Which Supreme Court case strengthened federal power?
A) Plessy v. Ferguson
B) Marbury v. Madison
C) Gibbons v. Ogden
D) Dred Scott v. Sandford
- 18. Which political party dominated American politics during much of this period?
A) The Democratic Party
B) The Federalist Party
C) The Whig Party
D) The Republican Party
- 19. What concept does Howe use to describe the period's communication revolution?
A) The printing revolution
B) The information revolution
C) The digital age
D) The media explosion
- 20. Which famous religious figure emerges during the Second Great Awakening?
A) Billy Graham
B) John Calvin
C) Charles Grandison Finney
D) Martin Luther
- 21. What political controversy dominated Andrew Jackson's presidency?
A) The Nullification Crisis
B) The Bank War
C) The Missouri Compromise
D) The Alien and Sedition Acts
- 22. What was the primary economic system that developed in the North during this period?
A) Mercantilism
B) Feudalism
C) Market capitalism
D) Socialism
- 23. What social institution became increasingly controversial during this period?
A) The family
B) Public education
C) Organized religion
D) Slavery
- 24. Samuel Morse's famous first telegraph message, which gives the book its title, comes from which book of the Bible?
A) Psalms
B) Exodus
C) Genesis
D) Numbers
- 25. Which Native American group suffered the Trail of Tears during this period?
A) Iroquois
B) Cherokee
C) Sioux
D) Apache
- 26. Which intellectual movement emphasized individualism and nature?
A) Romanticism
B) Enlightenment
C) Realism
D) Transcendentalism
- 27. Which woman's rights convention occurred in 1848, within Howe's timeframe?
A) Women's Rights Assembly
B) Feminist Congress
C) Seneca Falls Convention
D) National Women's Convention
- 28. Which religious group experienced significant growth and persecution during this period?
A) Quakers
B) Catholics
C) Mormons
D) Puritans
- 29. What political concept did John C. Calhoun advocate?
A) Manifest Destiny
B) Popular sovereignty
C) Nullification
D) States' rights
- 30. What was the 'spoils system' introduced by Andrew Jackson?
A) Distributing land to settlers
B) Allocating government contracts
C) Rewarding political supporters with offices
D) Tax collection system
- 31. Which invention revolutionized cotton production?
A) Power loom
B) Spinning jenny
C) Steam engine
D) Cotton gin
- 32. Which religious leader founded the Mormon church?
A) William Miller
B) Brigham Young
C) John Smith
D) Joseph Smith
- 33. Who was the first message 'What hath God wrought' sent by?
A) Andrew Jackson
B) John Quincy Adams
C) Henry Clay
D) Samuel Morse
- 34. Which president's administration receives significant critical analysis in the book?
A) James Madison
B) Martin Van Buren
C) Andrew Jackson
D) James K. Polk
- 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) Thomas Gallaudet
C) Horace Mann
D) Dorothea Dix
- 37. What was the Lowell system?
A) Political organizing
B) Textile factory labor
C) Agricultural communes
D) Religious communities
- 38. Which African American abolitionist published 'The North Star'?
A) Nat Turner
B) Harriet Tubman
C) Sojourner Truth
D) Frederick Douglass
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