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