What Hath God Wrought

The American System was a strategic economic policy that advocated for protective tariffs to nurture budding industries, a robust national bank to stabilize the nation’s finances, and ambitious internal improvements, such as developing roads and canals, to knit the country into a single, integrated market. In What Hath God Wrought, Howe discusses this system as emblematic of the broader debates about the scope and scale of federal involvement in economic development. It reveals the conflicting visions for America’s future between those favoring a strong central government guiding economic progress and others advocating for a more hands-off approach. The clash over the American System highlights differing regional priorities and economic philosophies and underpins the political struggle to forge a coherent national economy.

The Annexation of Texas represented a volatile blend of politics, power, and providence. Stemming from Texas’s 1836 declaration of independence from Mexico and its subsequent request to join the United States, this move sparked intense debates about the spread of slavery and territorial expansion, according to Howe’s analysis. The annexation was not merely a domestic affair but a geopolitical maneuver that had significant implications, culminating in the Mexican-American War. It exemplified the aggressive spirit of American expansionism, fraught with complex diplomatic and ethical challenges, and set a precedent for future annexations.