What Hath God Wrought

Examine Howe’s critique of the term “market revolution” and his interpretation of the economic changes during this era. How does Howe argue the market economy evolved, and how does this evolution reflect broader shifts in American society and its values?

Explore the multifaceted role of religion in shaping American society as depicted in Howe’s narrative. How does religion influence various aspects of American life, including politics, social reform, and cultural identity, during this transformative period?

Analyze the rise of mass political parties in the early 19th century, focusing on how Howe depicts the formation, organization, and impact of these parties on American democracy. How does this political evolution reflect broader societal changes, and what are its implications for the American democratic experiment?

Discuss the Missouri Compromise within the context of Howe’s broader narrative on sectionalism and the growing divide over slavery. How does this event illuminate the interplay between political maneuvering and moral debates in the antebellum United States?

Evaluate the role of technological advancements, such as the steamboat and railroad, in transforming American society and economy. How does Howe integrate these developments into his narrative, and what do they reveal about the nature of American progress and its costs?

Examine the Indian Removal Act and its implications for understanding the cultural and political conflicts in America during this period. How does this policy reflect broader themes of American expansion, colonization, identity, and the clash of cultures?

Explore the emergence of the American Renaissance and its significance within the context of Howe’s narrative. How do literary and intellectual movements of the period reflect and influence broader societal transformations?

Analyze the causes, conduct, and consequences of the Mexican-American War as presented by Howe. What does this conflict reveal about American imperialism, national identity, and the ideological underpinnings of manifest destiny?