Howe, Daniel W. What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of
America, 1815-1848. Oxford: New York, 2007. xviii + 904 ppg.
Daniel
Walker Howe’s entry into the Oxford History of the United States is another
tome that meets the high standards of historical scholarship which is so
indicative of the series. Howe, Rhodes Professor American History Emeritus,
Oxford University and Professor of History Emeritus, University of California,
Los Angeles earned the Pulitzer Prize for this outstanding volume. A sweeping
coverage of a period of great transformation in American history, this volume
continues to show how change has been a continuing theme in American history.
This theme is a constant throughout the series. Particular themes that Howe
covers in this volume revolve around technological advances and the early years
of the Industrial Revolution in America. Religion is given a major examination
as the Second Great Awakening transformed the morality of the nation and
enhanced a nascent abolitionist movement from a tiny voice in the wilderness
that became an exceedingly loud clamor.
The Era of
Good Feelings and Jacksonian Era are both covered in this volume. The
developments in the historical field are reflected in this volume as social,
cultural, religious, economic, political, and military histories are all given
attention. The development of the nation accelerated after the War of 1812 as
many of the obstacles to western expansion were removed including any
protection for Native Americans who inhabited lands coveted by whites. Howe
covers the incredible racism of this tragedy in detail. While advocates of
American Exceptionalism will criticize this volume for its treatment of these
historical events, Howe draws up the historical record and primary sources in
his interpretation of this era. The result is one that rejects American
Exceptionalism.
Howe also
goes into some depth in explaining how American politics worked in conjunction
with changing economic differences within the country. The differences between
North and South are given attention as slavery slowly faded in the North while
growing in the South. He also explains how slavery was barely prevented from
becoming legal in Illinois when it became a state and why. This establishes the
growing schism between sections as political differences began to grow of the
issue of slavery. However, as Howe is careful to note, they were kept in check
as long as a balance of power was maintained. He ends the volume by covering
the Mexican War which was brought on by the annexation of the Republic of
Texas. 
This is
important because it was the expansion of slavery that would result in the American
Civil War. The annexation of Texas was a deliberate expansion of slavery within
the US and the Mexican War was another Southern attempt at expanding slavery
which they felt was vital to its continuation as an economic system. Howe’s
treatment of this issue again reveals skillful use of primary sources which
have given historians a pretty accurate picture of what was going on concerning
this period of time. There will be those who disagree with Howe’s assessment,
but the facts are as Howe explains.
I am happy
to include this volume in my library. As with all the volumes of this series,
this entry is a good overall view of the time in question and makes for a good
reference book. Unfortunately, the sheer magnitude of events precluded Howe
from writing a larger book, but that would have taken additional volumes in
itself. Howe’s work is a good synopsis for readers interested in examining the
overall themes of this time.
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