Kara Sears
The temperance movement, promoting moderation and abstinence from alcohol, gained momentum in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking, Scandinavian, and majority-Protestant countries. While churches introduced abstinence pledges as early as 1800, the first temperance organizations emerged in New York in 1808 and Massachusetts in 1813. The movement rapidly spread, with Maine forming the world's first Total Abstinence Society in 1815. In 1838, Maine and Massachusetts enacted the first temperance laws, prohibiting alcohol sales in quantities under fifteen gallons. By the mid-19th century, the movement had split between moderates and abstinence advocates, with the latter gaining dominance. The post-Civil War era saw the rise of organizations like the WCTU and the Anti-Saloon League, which pushed for national prohibition in the US, enacted in 1920. Globally, countries like Canada, Norway, Finland, and India also adopted prohibition laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Maine, USA |
| Year | 1838 |
| Name of the law | Fifteen Gallon Law |
| What it did | Prohibited the sale of spirits in quantities of less than 15 gallons |
| Effect | Made liquor accessible only to the wealthy |
| Year of repeal | 1840 |
| Subsequent laws | Maine Law, 1851; National Prohibition, 1920 |
| Organisations | American Temperance Society; Woman's Christian Temperance Union; Anti-Saloon League |
| Supporters | Doctors, pastors, eugenicists, conservative evangelicals, liberal theologians, etc. |
| Opposition | Saloon owners, drinkers |
| International influence | The temperance movement spread to Canada, Great Britain, Scandinavia, India, Australasia, Africa, South America, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The first temperance laws
The temperance movement, a social movement promoting temperance or total abstinence from the consumption of alcoholic beverages, gained momentum in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The first temperance laws were enacted in the United States, where the movement had strong ties to the country's Protestant churches.
The earliest temperance organizations in the US were founded in Saratoga, New York, in 1808, and in Massachusetts in 1813. The movement quickly spread, and by 1833, there were 6,000 local societies across several US states. The world's first Total Abstinence Society was formed in Portland, Maine, in 1815, and a statewide temperance group was formed in 1834.
In 1838, Maine and Massachusetts became the first states to pass temperance laws. The Fifteen Gallon Law prohibited the sale of spirits in quantities of less than fifteen gallons. This law was repealed within two years due to criticism and non-compliance, as it effectively made alcohol accessible only to the wealthy. However, it represented a significant victory for temperance activists and set a precedent for future legislation.
In the 1840s, several states passed laws allowing local voters to determine whether liquor licenses would be issued in their areas. The movement gained further momentum in the 1850s, with 13 states and territories passing statewide prohibitory laws, often referred to as "`Maine Laws.`" During this period, temperance reformers also supported Sunday laws restricting alcohol sales on Sundays.
The first international temperance organization was the Order of Good Templars, formed in Utica, New York, in 1851. It gradually spread to Canada, Great Britain, Scandinavia, other European countries, Australasia, India, parts of Africa, and South America.
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The temperance movement
The earliest temperance organizations seem to have been those founded in Saratoga, New York, in 1808 and in Massachusetts in 1813. The movement spread rapidly under the influence of the churches; by 1833 there were 6,000 local societies in several U.S. states. The first international temperance organization appears to have been the Order of Good Templars, formed in 1851 in Utica, New York, which gradually spread over the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Scandinavia, several other European countries, Australasia, India, parts of Africa, and South America.
In the United States, the temperance movement began at a national level in the 1820s, popularized by evangelical temperance reformers and among the middle classes. The American Temperance Society was formed in 1826 and benefited from a renewed interest in religion and morality. Within 12 years, it claimed more than 8,000 local groups and over 1,250,000 members. By 1839, 18 temperance journals were being published. The movement split along two lines in the late 1830s: between moderates allowing some drinking and radicals demanding total abstinence, and between voluntarists relying on moral suasion alone and prohibitionists promoting laws to restrict or ban alcohol.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the temperance movement became prominent in many countries, particularly in English-speaking, Scandinavian, and majority Protestant ones, and it eventually led to national prohibitions in Canada (1918-1920), Norway (spirits only from 1919 to 1926), Finland (1919 to 1932), and the United States (1920 to 1933), as well as provincial prohibition in India (1948 to present). The movement started to wane in the 1930s, with prohibition being criticized as creating unhealthy drinking habits, encouraging criminals, and discouraging economic activity.
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The rise of prohibition
The temperance movement, a social movement promoting moderation and abstinence from alcohol, gained momentum in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The rise of prohibition was driven by various factors, including religious fervour, moral reform, and a growing awareness of alcohol's negative effects.
In the United States, the temperance movement was rooted in the Protestant churches and gained traction in the 1820s and 1830s. Lyman Beecher, a Connecticut minister, began lecturing against the use of liquor as early as 1825, and the American Temperance Society was formed in 1826. The movement advocated for individuals to voluntarily choose abstinence, and later pushed for legal restrictions on alcohol sales. By the mid-1800s, the movement had spread across several U.S. states, with thousands of local societies advocating for temperance. The first “dry” state, Maine, passed a law banning the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1851.
The post-Civil War era saw the emergence of the “gospel” temperance movement, characterised by prayer meetings and pledges of temperance. This period also witnessed the rise of influential organisations such as the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), which played a significant role in the push for prohibition. The WCTU, in particular, lobbied for local laws restricting alcohol and conducted anti-alcohol educational campaigns.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, temperance reformers intensified their efforts, seeking restrictive liquor legislation at the state level. By 1907, most counties had voted in favour of prohibition. The Anti-Saloon League (ASL), founded in 1893, played a pivotal role in the rise of prohibition, employing pressure politics to achieve political results. The ASL's influence contributed to the enactment of National Prohibition in 1920, which lasted until its repeal in 1933.
The temperance movement also gained international traction, with organisations such as the Order of Good Templars spreading to various countries, including Canada, Great Britain, Scandinavia, India, and beyond. By the 1910s, half of the countries worldwide had introduced some form of alcohol control in their laws or policies, including Norway, Finland, and Iceland. However, many countries eventually repealed prohibition due to challenges with enforcement and negative consequences, such as an increase in violent crime associated with the illegal liquor trade.
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The Anti-Saloon League
The ASL's support predominantly came from Protestant ministers and their congregations, particularly Methodists, Baptists, Disciples, and Congregationalists. The organisation's focus on legislation and voting, rather than individual drinking habits, set it apart and contributed to its success. Under the leadership of Wayne Wheeler, the ASL perfected the art of pressure politics, leveraging its influence to achieve political results.
The ASL's efforts were particularly effective in rural and Southern states, where it collaborated with other groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The ASL employed various tactics, including lobbying, providing witnesses to testify against saloons, and using emotion and patriotism to mobilise public opinion in favour of a dry, saloonless nation.
The ASL's success in promoting prohibition led to the enactment of National Prohibition in 1920. However, the movement faced criticism and internal divisions, with some questioning its effectiveness due to the persistence of drinking habits. Ultimately, the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified in 1933, repealing nationwide prohibition and diminishing the ASL's influence in American politics.
Today, the ASL, also known as the American Council on Addiction and Alcohol Problems, continues its work with a broader focus on addressing "other drugs" such as opioids. The legacy of the ASL and the temperance movement in the United States is still felt, with alcohol consumption and related policies evolving over time.
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The legacy of temperance
Temperance, or sophrosyne in ancient Greek, is considered a virtue by religious thinkers, philosophers, and psychologists. It is often described as a mean between excess and deficiency, requiring self-restraint and self-discipline to achieve balance and moderation in one's actions and emotions. The idea of temperance has had a profound and lasting impact on Western thought and culture, influencing ethics, morality, and behaviour.
The ancient Greeks believed that temperance was essential for achieving happiness, or eudaimonia. Aristotle, a pivotal figure in ancient Greek philosophy, included discussions of temperance and self-control in his system of virtue ethics. He defined temperance as "a mean with regard to pleasures," distinct from self-indulgence and courage. In his philosophy, temperance is a virtue that involves disciplining the irrational parts of human nature, such as fear and desire. This idea of temperance as a mean between extremes has had a lasting impact on Western philosophical thought, influencing philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill.
Despite its ancient origins, temperance remains relevant in modern philosophical debates and continues to influence contemporary discussions. In modern times, temperance is often associated with self-control, moderation, and emotional regulation. It is recognised as a virtue that can lead to mental well-being and is being applied in various fields, including psychology, education, and healthcare. In psychology, temperance is seen as crucial for emotional regulation and managing stress and anxiety. In education, it is promoted as a key virtue for academic success and personal development, fostering self-control, self-awareness, and self-regulation skills in students.
The concept of temperance has had a significant impact on society and culture, particularly in the form of the temperance movement. The temperance movement, dedicated to promoting moderation and abstinence from alcohol, gained prominence in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking, Scandinavian, and majority Protestant countries. It led to national prohibitions in several countries, including Canada, Norway, Finland, and the United States. The movement was driven by organisations such as the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League, which employed educational, social, and political means to promote their cause. These organisations continue their work today, advocating for increased taxation on alcohol, reduced advertising, and supporting laws that prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
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Frequently asked questions
The first temperance laws were enacted in Maine in 1838. These laws prohibited the sale of spirits in quantities of less than fifteen gallons.
The first temperance laws were a major victory for temperance groups, but they were criticised as only prohibiting the working class from consuming alcohol, as the wealthy could still afford large quantities.
The temperance movement aimed to promote moderation and, more often, complete abstinence from alcohol. Participants criticised alcohol intoxication and promoted teetotalism, emphasising alcohol's negative effects.
The temperance movement gained popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking, Scandinavian, and majority Protestant countries.
Notable organisations in the temperance movement include the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Anti-Saloon League, the Prohibition Party, and the International Organisation of Good Templars.
