Suffrage and Temperance Alliance

Definition

The Suffrage and Temperance Alliance was a coalition formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that linked the movements advocating for women's voting rights and the prohibition of alcohol. This partnership emerged as activists recognized that both movements sought to empower women and address social issues related to alcohol consumption, which was often seen as a source of domestic violence and poverty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The alliance between suffrage and temperance advocates was particularly strong among women who experienced the direct effects of alcohol-related issues in their homes.
2. Many leaders in the temperance movement, like Frances Willard, also supported women's rights, believing that voting would help women enact laws promoting social reform.
3. The alliance saw significant success in achieving local and state-level reforms before the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.
4. The Prohibition era (1920-1933) was partly driven by the efforts of suffragists and temperance advocates, highlighting how intertwined these movements were.
5. The fallout from Prohibition led to a decline in the temperance movement's influence, which also affected the suffrage movement as priorities shifted after women's voting rights were secured.

Review Questions

• How did the goals of the suffrage movement intersect with those of the temperance movement during their alliance?
  • The suffrage movement aimed to secure women's voting rights while the temperance movement sought to prohibit alcohol consumption. Their goals intersected as both movements recognized that empowering women through voting could lead to legislation addressing issues like domestic violence and poverty linked to alcohol use. Activists believed that if women could vote, they could influence laws to improve societal conditions, creating a synergy between the two causes.
• Evaluate the impact of key figures within the Suffrage and Temperance Alliance on American society during this period.
  • Key figures like Susan B. Anthony and Frances Willard played pivotal roles in shaping both movements. Their activism brought national attention to women's issues and demonstrated how intertwined suffrage and temperance were. They effectively mobilized support for both causes, highlighting the social injustices caused by alcohol abuse, while advocating for women's rights. Their combined efforts laid groundwork for eventual legislative changes, including the 19th Amendment.
• Assess how the outcome of Prohibition influenced subsequent developments in both women's rights and temperance advocacy post-1933.
  • The end of Prohibition in 1933 marked a significant turning point for both movements. While women's suffrage had been achieved, many temperance advocates found their goals undermined by the return of legal alcohol. This shift led to a decline in organized temperance efforts as priorities changed; many activists redirected their focus toward new social issues rather than continuing their fight against alcohol. The dynamics within feminist movements also evolved as women began to explore broader issues beyond temperance, affecting the direction of women's advocacy in America.

Related terms

Women's Suffrage: The movement aimed at securing the legal right for women to vote in political elections, which gained momentum in the late 19th century.

Temperance Movement: A social and political campaign advocating for the reduction or prohibition of alcohol consumption, emphasizing its negative effects on families and society.

18th Amendment: An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, enacted in 1920.