Temperance movement

Quick Facts: Who was Temperance movement?

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Temperance movement

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A global social movement advocating for abstinence or moderation from alcoholic beverages.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The temperance movement is a social movement promoting temperance or total abstinence from consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote teetotalism, and its leaders emphasize alcohol's negative effects on people's health, personalities, and family lives. Temperance organizations typically promoted alcohol education and demanded the passage of new laws against the sale of alcohol: either regulations on the availability of alcohol, or the prohibition of it. 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 to 1920), Norway (spirits only, from 1919 to 1926), Finland (1919 to 1932), and the United States (1920 to 1933), as well as some provinces in India (1948 to present). In late 17th-century North America, alcohol was a vital part of colonial life as a beverage, medicine, and commodity for men, women, and children.

Career & Major Achievements

Drinking was widely accepted and completely integrated into society; however, drunkenness was not tolerated. In the colonial period of America from around 1623, when a Plymouth minister named William Blackstone began distributing apples and flowers, up until the mid-1800s, hard cider was the primary alcoholic drink of the people. Hard cider was prominent throughout this entire period, and nothing compared to it in terms of scope or availability. It was one of the few aspects of American culture that all the colonies shared. Settlement along the frontier often included a legal requirement whereby an orchard of mature apple trees bearing fruit within three years of settlement were required before a land title was officially granted.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

For example, The Ohio Company required settlers to plant not less than fifty apple trees and twenty peach trees within three years. These plantings guaranteed land titles. In 1767, the average New England family was consuming seven barrels of hard cider annually, which equates to about 35-gallons per person. Around the mid-1800s, newly arrived immigrants from Germany and elsewhere increased beer's popularity, and the temperance movement and continued westward expansion caused farmers to abandon their cider orchards. Attitudes toward alcohol in Great Britain became increasingly negative in the late 18th century.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1623: 1623 Milestone — In the colonial period of America from around 1623, when a Plymouth minister named William Blackstone began distributing apples and flowers, up until the mid-1800s, hard cider was the primary alcoholic drink of the people.
2. 1767: 1767 Milestone — In 1767, the average New England family was consuming seven barrels of hard cider annually, which equates to about 35-gallons per person.
3. 1918: 1918 Milestone — 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 to 1920), Norway (spirits only, from 1919 to 1926), Finland (1919 to 1932), and the United States (1920 to 1933), as well as some provinces in India (1948 to present).

Notable Quotes by Temperance movement

“that buying, selling, and drinking of liquor, unless absolutely necessary, were evils to be avoided” (1743)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Temperance movement

True or False: “The initial focus of the temperance movement was always on total prohibition rather than moderation.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Early societies often promoted 'moderate drinking' (temperance), only later developing stronger calls for outright prohibition.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Temperance movement