Temperance

Definition

Temperance refers to the social movement advocating for moderation or complete abstinence from alcohol consumption. This movement gained significant momentum in the 19th century as a response to the negative effects of excessive drinking on society, families, and individuals, which intertwined with various reform movements aimed at improving moral and social conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The temperance movement began gaining traction in the early 19th century, coinciding with the Second Great Awakening's emphasis on personal piety and moral reform.
2. Advocates argued that alcohol abuse led to societal issues such as crime, poverty, and domestic violence, prompting calls for reform.
3. The movement was largely supported by women, who often faced the brunt of domestic violence and financial instability caused by their husbands' drinking habits.
4. The temperance movement led to the establishment of various organizations, including the American Temperance Society in 1826 and the Women's Christian Temperance Union in 1874.
5. Temperance rhetoric often included religious overtones, emphasizing the moral obligation to abstain from alcohol as part of a broader spiritual revival during the period.

Review Questions

• How did the temperance movement reflect broader societal changes during its rise in the 19th century?
  • The temperance movement mirrored broader societal changes such as industrialization and urbanization, which brought about new social challenges. As people moved into cities and faced harsh working conditions, issues related to alcohol abuse became more pronounced. This led to a growing awareness of the need for social reform and personal responsibility, making temperance an essential component of various reform movements aimed at improving American society.
• Discuss the role of women in the temperance movement and how it contributed to their push for greater rights.
  • Women played a pivotal role in the temperance movement, as they often experienced firsthand the detrimental effects of alcohol on family life. Organizations like the Women's Christian Temperance Union not only advocated for abstinence but also provided a platform for women to voice their concerns about domestic violence and poverty. This activism laid the groundwork for future movements seeking women's rights, as it empowered women to take a stand on social issues and assert their influence in public life.
• Evaluate how the temperance movement's goals aligned with or conflicted with other reform movements during the 19th century.
  • The goals of the temperance movement frequently aligned with other reform movements, such as moral reform and women's suffrage, as they all sought to address social injustices and improve individual behavior. However, there were also conflicts; for example, some labor movements viewed temperance advocates as out of touch with working-class realities, where social drinking was a common way to unwind from hard labor. The temperance movement's push for Prohibition created divisions within these groups, illustrating how complex social reform efforts could be when intersecting with different interests and values.

Related terms

Prohibition:

The legal ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States, which was enforced from 1920 to 1933.

Moral Reform: A movement that sought to improve individual behavior and promote ethical standards in society, often aligned with temperance as a means to address societal issues.

Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU):

A prominent organization formed in 1874 that played a key role in the temperance movement, promoting abstinence and advocating for women's rights.