What Hath God Wrought

Howe explores the Whig Party’s role and influence in American politics, particularly focusing on the period surrounding William Henry Harrison’s presidency and John Tyler’s subsequent presidency. He covers a broad range of themes, including political ideology, economic policies, internal conflicts, and the party’s contributions to American society and governance.

The chapter begins with the scene of William Henry Harrison’s inauguration in 1841, underlining the historical significance of his lengthy speech, which criticized Democratic policies and emphasized the principles of the Whig Party. Harrison’s promises of executive restraint and a one-term presidency reflect the Whig’s ideological commitment to a balanced federal government and their critique of what they perceived as the Democratic Party’s overreach under Andrew Jackson.

The sudden death of Harrison a month into his presidency and the ascension of John Tyler, a man whose political beliefs often diverged from core Whig principles, marks a pivotal moment in the chapter. Tyler’s presidency is portrayed as a period of internal strife within the Whig Party, highlighting his controversial veto of the bill to establish a third bank of the United States and his alienation from the Whig leadership. This event is critical in illustrating the ideological fractures within the party and Tyler’s complex legacy as a president caught between his personal beliefs and the expectations of his party.