65 pages • 2 hours read
Daniel Walker HoweWhat Hath God Wrought
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 3-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 3 Summary: “An Era of Good and Bad Feelings”
The post-War of 1812 period in the United States was characterized by a blend of nationalistic pride and internal divisions. President James Monroe’s inauguration symbolized the continuation of the “Virginia dynasty,” aimed at fostering national unity. His presidency aspired to transcend party conflicts, leading to the coining of the term “Era of Good Feelings” (115). However, this era was not without its controversies, particularly in foreign affairs and internal development.
Monroe’s administration focused on consolidating American nationalism through policies like the acquisition of Florida from Spain, the assertion of the Monroe Doctrine to deter European intervention in the Americas, and the enhancement of domestic infrastructure, notably through the construction of the Erie Canal.
The acquisition of Florida followed a contentious period of negotiation with Spain, exacerbated by General Andrew Jackson’s military incursion into the territory. This expansionist move was part of a broader strategy to secure the nation’s borders and assert its influence in the western hemisphere, further articulated in the Monroe Doctrine. This doctrine declared the Americas off-limits to new European colonization and underscored the US commitment to non-intervention in European affairs, marking a significant change in American foreign policy.
The Erie Canal epitomized the era’s push towards economic integration and development, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean and facilitating commerce. This project, championed by New York Governor DeWitt Clinton, faced political opposition but ultimately proved transformative, bolstering New York City’s position as a commercial hub and symbolizing the potential of nationalistic endeavors to unite the country through shared economic success.
The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall reinforced the supremacy of federal law and contributed to the shaping of a cohesive national legal framework. Marshall’s jurisprudence, particularly in cases like Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee, underscored the court’s role in interpreting the Constitution and further embedded the principle of national superiority over the states in legal matters.
Partisan and sectional tensions persisted in this era, ultimately giving way to new political alignments and conflicts. The era’s legacy, therefore, lies in its illustration of the complexities of fostering national unity amidst diversity and disagreement, reflecting the ongoing struggle to define and achieve a coherent sense of American nationalism.
Chapter 4 Summary: “The World That Cotton Made”
The chapter starts with the aftermath of the War of 1812, which opened up vast territories in the Southwest, primarily due to Andrew Jackson’s military successes and forced displacement of Indigenous peoples. This period saw a massive influx of settlers into Alabama, Mississippi, and other parts of the Southwest, drawn by the prospect of fertile land suitable for cotton cultivation.
The chapter details the migration patterns, including the types of settlers moving to these areas, their origins, and their motivations. It also examines the federal government’s role in facilitating settlement through land sales and policies, despite the chaotic and often speculative nature of land acquisition. The narrative highlights the establishment of settlements like Jackson, Mississippi, and the rapid population growth in the region.
A significant portion of the chapter covers the transformation brought about by the cotton boom. The invention of the cotton gin made short-staple cotton profitable, leading to a surge in cotton production and a shift in the global cotton market. This boom had far-reaching effects on the domestic and international economies, reinforcing the South’s reliance on slave labor for cotton cultivation. Howe explores the consequences of this dependence, including the internal slave trade’s growth and the changes in the Southern social and economic systems.
Howe also addresses the environmental and social impacts of rapid settlement and agricultural expansion, including the dispossession of Indigenous lands, the spread of slavery into new territories, and the environmental degradation associated with cotton cultivation––including soil depletion, deforestation, chemical contamination, erosion, monoculture farming, and intensive water use.
Toward the end, the chapter reflects on the broader implications of the cotton boom, such as the growing divide between the North and South over slavery, state rights, and economic policies. This divide is exemplified by the Missouri Compromise, which temporarily resolved the conflict over the extension of slavery into new territories but foreshadowed the enduring sectional tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
Chapter 5 Summary: “Awakenings of Religion”
Religious transformations and awakenings significantly impacted American society from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. Howe focuses on the disestablishment of state-supported churches, particularly in New England, where Congregationalism had a stronghold, and explores the transition to a society where religion was supported voluntarily by its members. This shift empowered religious organizations and led to a surge in religious activism, creating new denominations, the growth of missionary and reform movements, and a reinvigorated emphasis on personal faith and community building.
Lyman Beecher, a central figure in this chapter, initially despaired at the disestablishment of religion in Connecticut but later recognized it as a positive development that freed the churches from state dependency and encouraged more genuine religious commitment. This period saw a burgeoning belief in the separation of church and state as a foundational American principle though the reality was more nuanced, with many states maintaining some form of religious establishment well into the 19th century.
The chapter also delves into the broader effects of religious voluntarism and the Second Great Awakening on American society. It highlights the democratization of religion, as new denominations and religious movements provided platforms for participation and leadership to groups previously marginalized in religious life, including women, African Americans, and the poor. The narrative underscores the role of religion in shaping democratic practices and values, such as voluntary association, moral reform, and the promotion of literacy and education through religious initiatives like Sunday schools and Bible distribution.
Howe gives significant attention to the experiences and contributions of key figures, such as Lyman Beecher and Charles Grandison Finney, who were instrumental in spreading revivalism and addressing social issues through a religious lens. The chapter also touches on the debates within religious communities, particularly among Quakers and between orthodox and liberal factions over issues of theology, governance, and the role of religion in public life.
Furthermore, the chapter explores the challenges and adaptations faced by the Catholic Church in America, as it sought to accommodate a growing and diverse immigrant population while navigating tensions between traditional authority structures and the democratic ethos of American society.
Chapter 6 Summary: “Overthrowing the Tyranny of Distance”
During the 1824 presidential election, advancements in transportation and communication signaled the early signs of political transformation in the United States. This period, marked by intense electioneering, saw the fragmentation of the Republican Party into factions, each supporting different candidates like William H. Crawford, John C. Calhoun, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and Andrew Jackson, all claiming to uphold Jeffersonian values.
William H. Crawford, despite being favored by the political establishment and having the backing of figures like Jefferson and Madison, lacked widespread popular support, especially after controversies such as his opposition to an anti-slave trade treaty. John C. Calhoun presented himself as a proponent of Republican nationalism, advocating for internal improvements and a strong national defense, contrasting with Crawford’s Old Republicanism. Meanwhile, John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay emerged as regional favorites, with Adams drawing support from the East and Clay from the West, both emphasizing nationalistic policies and economic development.
Andrew Jackson’s candidacy diverged significantly, capitalizing on his military heroism and populist appeal rather than specific policy proposals. His image as a self-made frontiersman resonated with many voters, particularly in the context of growing democratization and the erosion of elitist political norms.
The 1824 election underscored the limitations of the one-party system and heralded a shift towards more direct public participation in politics. This was evident in the controversy over the selection of presidential candidates, with the established practice of congressional caucuses being challenged and ultimately abandoned in favor of broader engagement.
Internal improvements, such as the construction of roads and canals, played a pivotal role in this political evolution. Projects like the Erie Canal not only revolutionized transportation and economic activity but also democratized information flow, fostering a more informed and engaged electorate. These developments laid the groundwork for a more democratic political landscape, characterized by the rise of mass political parties and a more active public sphere.
The chapter highlights the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and politics, illustrating how advancements in transportation and communication were instrumental in transforming American democracy. It reflects on the broader implications of these changes for society, emphasizing the democratization of both physical mobility and access to information, thereby reshaping the political and social fabric of the nation.
Chapters 3-6 Analysis
This section explores how technological progress, religious fervor, and the contentious issue of slavery intertwined to shape the nation’s trajectory. The period following the War of 1812 has become known as the Era of Good Feelings. It was a time of relative political harmony and economic growth, and was characterized by a decline in partisan tensions, with the emerging dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party under President James Monroe. This era fostered a sense of national unity and identity as Americans celebrated their victories in war, territorial expansion, and economic prosperity. However, underlying tensions such as sectionalism and debates over issues like slavery persisted, revealing complexities beneath the surface of apparent national unity. Nonetheless, the Era of Good Feelings contributed to the evolving American identity by highlighting themes of unity, expansion, and optimism during a pivotal period of nation-building.
The Evolving Debate and Conflict Over Slavery permeates the narrative, notably in the backdrop of “The World That Cotton Made.” As Howe outlines the economic boom driven by cotton and its reliance on slave labor, he underscores how this economic transformation not only reshaped the South but also deepened the national schism over slavery. This era’s expansionist policies and economic developments reinforced the institution of slavery, catalyzing political debates and sectional tensions that foreshadowed the Civil War. The political discourse of the time, including discussions on the Monroe Doctrine and the acquisition of Florida, indirectly fed into the slavery debate by amplifying the issues of territorial sovereignty and the expansion of slave versus free states.
The Rise of Religious and Social Movements, especially those stemming from the Second Great Awakening, as detailed in “Awakenings of Religion,” catalyzed significant social movements, including abolitionism. The rise of voluntary religious engagement and the proliferation of new denominations democratized religious participation, encouraging a societal reevaluation of moral and ethical standards, including the morality of slavery. These movements fostered a sense of individual agency in social reform, contributing to the intensifying discourse on slavery and freedom. However, the same fervor also highlighted the era’s contradictions, as not all religious movements aligned on the question of abolition, reflecting broader societal divisions.
The Political and Social Challenges of Territorial Expansion are linked to both the slavery debate and the rise of social movements. The expansion into new territories, underscored by the acquisition of Florida and the push westward, posed questions about the balance between slave and free states, influencing political alignments and strategies. This expansion was a battle where economic interests, moral values, and political power converged. The narrative of national progress and unity, as pursued through infrastructure projects like the Erie Canal, often masked the deep divisions and ethical dilemmas posed by slavery and the displacement of Indigenous peoples.
The economic imperatives of the cotton boom, the moral and ethical questions raised by religious awakenings, and the political maneuvers around territorial expansion collectively illustrate a complex picture of early 19th-century America. This period, marked by significant growth and change, was also a time of division and conflict, setting the stage for the tumultuous decades to follow.
