Temperance Movements and Censorship
Temperance movements in the United States emerged in the late 18th century, initially advocating for moderation in alcohol consumption. Influential figures like physician Benjamin Rush highlighted the negative health effects of ardent spirits, fostering a small yet dedicated following. As the 19th century progressed, these movements expanded dramatically, establishing thousands of local societies that increasingly shifted their focus from moderation to total abstinence. Through revival-style meetings, emotional storytelling, and moral persuasion, they sought to influence public opinion on alcohol use.
The temperance movement gained momentum, leading to the formation of larger organizations, notably the American Temperance Union in 1833, which began to advocate for legislative measures against alcohol consumption. This push for prohibition was met with resistance from opponents who argued that such coercive tactics undermined personal liberties and respect for law. Following the Civil War, the emergence of women's temperance organizations, particularly the Women's Christian Temperance Union, further intensified advocacy efforts. Despite a decline in membership by the end of the century, these movements laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the Eighteenth Amendment, instituting national Prohibition in the 1920s.
Temperance Movements and Censorship
Definition: Groups and individuals who believe in moderation or abstinence in the use of alcohol
Significance: As the temperance movement gained momentum in the nineteenth century, its emphasis shifted from a position of moral persuasion to coercive legislation
In the eighteenth century supporters of alcoholic temperance were a small minority of Americans. Many followed the instruction of the distinguished physician Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia. Through numerous pamphlets, he described the ill effects ardent spirits had on the mind and body, and encouraged moderation in the use of alcohol for a healthy life. Membership in temperance societies increased dramatically during the early 1800’s. Local societies sprang up across the country. Rush’s followers, mostly Quaker and Methodist ministers, were joined by Protestant ministers and nonsectarian groups, such as the Washingtonians and Cold Water Soldiers. By 1833 temperance societies claimed five thousand local organizations with more than a million members.
The message of the new movement changed from moderation to total abstinence. Temperance societies used moral persuasion through revivalistic methods to spread their message. Using many of the same techniques employed by contemporary Methodist and Baptist preachers, speakers traveled across the country delivering emotional lectures in tents, churches, and auditoriums. Their presentations included horror stories given by former alcoholics, threats of damnation, and fervent entreaties for audience members to sign pledges of abstinence. Women were recruited to boycott stores that sold alcohol. Temperance groups published thousands of pamphlets describing the negative effects of alcohol on personal and family finances and on a society which had to maintain jails, poor houses, and insane asylums for those afflicted.
In 1833 twenty-three state societies gathered for a convention in Philadelphia. Together they formed the American Temperance Union. Their emphasis changed from moral persuasion to more coercive measures. The new union campaigned for state and federal legislation that would prevent everyone from using alcohol. As a result of consistent ardent lobbying by temperance societies, eleven states and two territories enacted prohibition laws by 1855.
Opponents of coercive temperance legislation contended that a minority of Americans were trying to impose their morals on a majority. They saw temperance legislation as a violation of American liberties. Opponents asserted that imposing coercive legislation on a society did not change its morality. Rather, it diminished respect for government and encouraged usually law abiding citizens to break the law. Despite such criticisms, membership in temperance movements rose after the Civil War. They were joined by women’s temperance movements, most notably the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Members paraded, lectured, prayed, and sang in front of saloons trying to persuade patrons and owners to close down. Thousands of pamphlets were distributed and, in a few instances, personal property was destroyed. By 1880 virtually every state had enacted laws making temperance education in schools compulsory.
Though membership in temperance societies waned and most prohibition legislation had been repealed by the end of the century, this period saw the formation of the Anti-Saloon League. They were later joined by the WCTU and Prohibition Party. Their work ultimately led to the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment and national prohibition in the use of alcohol.