Module #1 - The Temperance Movement

"Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control mans' appetite through legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not even crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our Government was founded.”

― Abraham Lincoln

I would say that the quote from Abraham Lincoln strikes at the heart of the temperance debate for me. Does the government have the right to tell me what to do with my body?

First I should give a general explanation of the temperance movement for clarity. It was one of the many reform movements in the 1800's and even though it is associated with the ratification of the 18th amendment in 1919, it's roots go farther back in history.

This was an organized American movement that began in the mid-1800s to urge prohibition of the manufacture and consumption of all alcoholic beverages. By 1855 support for prohibition resulted in thirty-one states making alcohol illegal to some degree. By the 1870s the temperance movement had strong ties to the growing women's movement, members of which believed alcohol to be directly responsible for much of the nation's moral decline, as well as related to issues of ill health, poverty, and the spread of crime. (Brittanica) It was started by women who thought that their husbands were consuming too much alcohol which was leading to poor health, increase in crime, spousal abuse, and prostititution.

Temperance associations started to form. There was one established in New York in 1808 and in  Massachusetts in 1813. Many of the groups were supported by religious ministers however many groups were interdenominational. Thanks largely to the lead from the pulpit, some 6,000 local  temperance groups in many states were up and running by the 1830s.  The first statewide success for the temperance movement was in Maine, and it served for a model for other states.

There were articles written and many drawings depicting the evils of alcohol consumption. Look closely. Are these family trees? Or maybe “Trees of Life”? Nope. These are a pair of prints issued by A. D. Fillmore in 1855 . Their purpose is to clearly identify the virtues of temperance and the evils of intemperance. At least the as believed by the members of the temperance movement of that time.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The "Tree of Temperance" is beautifully depicted with families playing nearby, beautiful buildings and fruits on the branches listing all the virtues that one would aspire to. It is idyllic. They are wearing clean clothes, and they appear healthy and prosperous.
 

Then there is the "Tree of Intemperance".  In the center the tree's roots are depicted as schnapps, whiskey, wine, and beer. Around its trunk winds a giant snake and the the trunk splits into branches marked things like "Ignorance," "Crime," and "Immorality." These then break into smaller branches representing many social and moral evils, such as wars, drunkenness, and counterfeiting. On the right of the print there are thorn bushes and several men drunk and despondent.
 

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Proponents of temperance suggested that it was motivated by a justified concern for the public welfare, but others felt that was against our individual liberty. Which goes back to my earlier question about the government regulating our choices regarding personal welfare. It's as relevent a question then as it is now. We not only have laws against drugs, but also laws that make us wear seatbelts, and helmets. Where does it stop? Do we have individual freedom or are these laws for the greater good?

 

Gentlemen, I refuse to sign any pledge. I have never been drunk, and, by the blessing of God, I never will get drunk, but I have a constitutional privilege to get drunk, and that privilege I will not sign away.

Responding to a request to sign a pledge not to use intoxicating beverages

Chancellor Kent




Encyclopedia Britannica "Temperance Movement." Women in American History. [Online] Available http://women.eb.com/women/articles/temperance_movement.html, Digital ID: (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3b02442 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b02442 Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-54497 (b&w film copy neg.) Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Digital ID: (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3a16876 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a16876 Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-14614 (b&w film copy neg.) Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA