Temperance

Definition

Temperance refers to the practice of moderation and self-restraint, particularly in relation to the consumption of alcohol. It became a prominent social movement in the 19th century, advocating for the reduction or elimination of alcohol use due to its perceived negative effects on society, including crime, poverty, and family disintegration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The temperance movement gained momentum in the early 19th century, with organizations like the American Temperance Society being founded in 1826 to promote abstinence from alcohol.
2. Key figures such as Lyman Beecher and Frances Willard played significant roles in promoting temperance and linking it to broader social reform efforts.
3. Temperance advocates argued that alcohol consumption was a primary cause of social issues like domestic violence, crime, and poverty, leading them to push for legislative changes.
4. The movement culminated in the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933 when the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States.
5. The temperance movement laid important groundwork for other social reform movements, including women's suffrage, by highlighting the connection between personal morality and societal well-being.

Review Questions

• How did the temperance movement reflect broader social changes occurring in the 19th century?
  • The temperance movement reflected broader social changes by addressing issues like industrialization, urbanization, and changing family dynamics. As more people moved to cities and faced new social challenges, temperance advocates emphasized the dangers of alcohol on public health and moral decay. This movement became intertwined with other reform efforts, such as moral reform and women's rights, highlighting how societal issues were interconnected during this transformative period.
• Discuss the role of key individuals in the temperance movement and how their contributions shaped its goals.
  • Key individuals like Lyman Beecher and Frances Willard were instrumental in shaping the goals of the temperance movement. Beecher's powerful sermons rallied public support against alcohol consumption, emphasizing its harmful impact on families and society. Willard expanded the movement's scope by linking temperance to women's rights, arguing that sober men would lead to healthier families and communities. Their advocacy helped elevate temperance as a crucial social issue in 19th-century America.
• Evaluate how the temperance movement's legacy influenced subsequent social movements in America.
  • The legacy of the temperance movement significantly influenced subsequent social movements by establishing a framework for organized advocacy and social change. The methods used by temperance activists—such as grassroots organizing, public education campaigns, and lobbying for legislative reforms—were adopted by later movements like women's suffrage and civil rights. Moreover, the moral arguments made about alcohol use set a precedent for addressing other perceived societal vices, demonstrating how one movement can shape strategies and ideologies for future reforms.

Related terms

Prohibition: The legal act of prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, which took effect in the United States with the 18th Amendment in 1920.

Moral Reform:

A movement during the 19th century aimed at improving individual morals and societal standards, often linked with temperance as advocates sought to eliminate vices.

Suffrage Movement: A social movement aimed at securing voting rights for women, which often intersected with temperance efforts as many suffragists viewed alcohol as a barrier to women's rights.