Hellfire Nation: The Politics of Sin in American History

Description

This insightful new conceptualization of American political history demonstrates that—despite the clear separation of church and state—religion lies at the heart of American politics. From the Puritan founding to the present day, the American story is a moral epic, James Morone says, and while moral fervor has inspired the dream of social justice it has also ignited our fiercest social conflicts. From the colonial era to the present day, Americans embraced a Providential mission, tangled with devils, and aspired to save the world. Moral fervor ignited our fiercest social conflicts—but it also moved dreamers to remake the nation in the name of social justice. Moral crusades inspired abolition, woman suffrage, and civil rights, even as they led Americans to hang witches, enslave Africans, and ban liquor. Today these moral arguments continue, influencing the debate over everything from abortion to foreign policy. Written with passion and deep insight, Hellfire Nation tells the story of a brawling, raucous, religious people. Morone shows how fears of sin and dreams of virtue defined the shape of the nation.   Contents Preface Introduction: A Nation with the Soul of a Church Part I: The Puritan Foundations of Morality Politics (1630–1776) Chapter 1. Us: The City on a Hill Chapter 2. Them: Heretic, Heathen, and Witch Chapter 3. The Puritans Become America Part II: The Abolitionist Crusade (1800–1865) Chapter 4. The Wrath of God in Black and White Chapter 5. Abolition! Chapter 6. South: The Pro-Slavery Argument Chapter 7. North: The Ragged Chorus of the Union Part III: The Victorian Quest for Virtue (1870–1929) Chapter 8. Purity and the Woman’s Sphere Chapter 9. White Slaves and the Modern Witch-Hunt Chapter 10. Temperance: Crucible of Race and Class Chapter 11. Prohibition and the Rise of Big Government Part IV: The Social Gospel at High Tide (1932–1973) Chapter 12. The New Deal Call to Alms Chapter 13. Manifest Destiny and the Cold War Chapter 14. The Sixties Part V: The Puritans Roar Again Chapter 15. Modern Morals Epilogue Notes Index