Temperance
Believing that alcohol caused social ills, the temperance reform movement targeted alcohol consumption (about five gallons of alcohol per person in 1820). The temperance movement attempted to changed the quality of American's daily lives to improve the country. The temperance movement seemed to bring the country together, making all citizens work together to achieve a healthier, more efficient country. Overall nationalism was the result of the temperance movement. However, the temperance movement also caused sectionalism between some groups of immigrants and Americans supporting the reform movement.
Events and Groups:
Events and Groups:
- 1826: The American Temperance Society was founded. The group tried to persuade drinkers to stop drinking alcohol.
- 1840: The Washingtonians society was founded by recovering alcoholics. They believed that alcoholism was a disease that needed helpful treatment.
- 1840s: Temperance societies had over 1 million members.
- Temperance led to middle class respectability. It was respectable to only drink cold water.
- The German and Irish opposed to the temperance reform, however, they had no political power.
- Factory owners supported the movement because they found that the temperance measures could reduce crime and poverty and increase job output of workers.
- 1851: Maine was the first of 13 states to prohibit the manufacture and sale of liquor.