- 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 Civil War and Reconstruction era
B) Westward expansion in the late 19th century
C) The transformation of America from 1815 to 1848
D) The American Revolution and its aftermath
- 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 Social Gospel movement
B) The Second Great Awakening
C) The First Great Awakening
D) The Fundamentalist movement
- 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) Abolition and social reform
B) Economic development and internal improvements
C) States' rights and limited government
D) Territorial expansion and manifest destiny
- 6. What was the significance of the Erie Canal?
A) It was primarily for military use
B) It divided North and South economically
C) It connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic
D) It was the first railroad in America
- 7. What was the primary cause of the Mexican-American War according to Howe?
A) Religious differences
B) Mexican aggression
C) Economic competition
D) American expansionism
- 8. Which religious group experienced significant growth during this period?
A) Quakers
B) Puritans
C) Methodists
D) Catholics
- 9. What was the 'Market Revolution'?
A) The rise of industrial capitalism
B) The stock market crash of 1837
C) The shift to a commercial economy
D) The development of international trade
- 10. What was the significance of the Seneca Falls Convention?
A) It created the Republican Party
B) It launched the women's rights movement
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 promote western settlement
B) To convert Native Americans
C) To abolish slavery immediately
D) To resettle free blacks in Africa
- 12. How does Howe characterize the period's transportation improvements?
A) As environmentally destructive
B) As economically insignificant
C) As primarily military projects
D) As transformative for national unity
- 13. What was the 'Second Party System'?
A) The modern Republican vs. Democratic system
B) Competition between Democrats and Whigs
C) The Federalist vs. Republican conflict
D) Regional political alliances
- 14. Which reformer does Howe highlight for educational improvements?
A) Elizabeth Cady Stanton
B) Horace Mann
C) William Lloyd Garrison
D) Dorothea Dix
- 15. Which European visitor's commentary does Howe frequently cite?
A) Alexis de Tocqueville
B) Charles Dickens
C) Friedrich Engels
D) Karl Marx
- 16. How does Howe treat the Bank War?
A) As a conflict over economic policy
B) As a constitutional crisis
C) As a personal vendetta
D) As a minor political dispute
- 17. Which Supreme Court case strengthened federal power?
A) Marbury v. Madison
B) Plessy v. Ferguson
C) Dred Scott v. Sandford
D) Gibbons v. Ogden
- 18. Which political party dominated American politics during much of this period?
A) The Whig Party
B) The Federalist Party
C) The Republican Party
D) The Democratic Party
- 19. What concept does Howe use to describe the period's communication revolution?
A) The digital age
B) The information revolution
C) The media explosion
D) The printing revolution
- 20. Which famous religious figure emerges during the Second Great Awakening?
A) John Calvin
B) Martin Luther
C) Billy Graham
D) Charles Grandison Finney
- 21. What political controversy dominated Andrew Jackson's presidency?
A) The Nullification Crisis
B) The Missouri Compromise
C) The Alien and Sedition Acts
D) The Bank War
- 22. What was the primary economic system that developed in the North during this period?
A) Market capitalism
B) Feudalism
C) Socialism
D) Mercantilism
- 23. What social institution became increasingly controversial during this period?
A) Slavery
B) Organized religion
C) Public education
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) Exodus
B) Genesis
C) Numbers
D) Psalms
- 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) Realism
B) Transcendentalism
C) Enlightenment
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) Feminist Congress
D) Seneca Falls Convention
- 28. Which religious group experienced significant growth and persecution during this period?
A) Catholics
B) Quakers
C) Mormons
D) Puritans
- 29. What political concept did John C. Calhoun advocate?
A) Popular sovereignty
B) Manifest Destiny
C) States' rights
D) Nullification
- 30. What was the 'spoils system' introduced by Andrew Jackson?
A) Tax collection system
B) Rewarding political supporters with offices
C) Allocating government contracts
D) Distributing land to settlers
- 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) John Smith
B) Joseph Smith
C) Brigham Young
D) William Miller
- 33. Who was the first message 'What hath God wrought' sent by?
A) Samuel Morse
B) John Quincy Adams
C) Andrew Jackson
D) Henry Clay
- 34. Which president's administration receives significant critical analysis in the book?
A) James K. Polk
B) Martin Van Buren
C) James Madison
D) Andrew Jackson
- 35. Which reform movement gained momentum during this period?
A) Abolitionism
B) Civil Rights Movement
C) Women's suffrage exclusively
D) Progressive Era reforms
- 36. Which reformer focused on education for the deaf?
A) Horace Mann
B) Elizabeth Stanton
C) Thomas Gallaudet
D) Dorothea Dix
- 37. What was the Lowell system?
A) Textile factory labor
B) Political organizing
C) Religious communities
D) Agricultural communes
- 38. Which African American abolitionist published 'The North Star'?
A) Harriet Tubman
B) Nat Turner
C) Frederick Douglass
D) Sojourner Truth
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