Temperance

Definition

Temperance refers to the practice of moderation and self-restraint, particularly in relation to alcohol consumption. It emerged as a social movement in the 19th century, advocating for reduced or eliminated alcohol use to improve society's moral and health conditions. This movement often intersected with issues of social justice and civil rights, influencing various reform efforts, especially after the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The temperance movement gained momentum in the early to mid-19th century as a response to the social issues associated with alcohol abuse, such as domestic violence and poverty.
2. Literary figures and activists used their writing as a tool to promote temperance, highlighting its benefits for individual health and societal morality.
3. Harriet Jacobs and Frances Harper were influential figures in linking the temperance movement to broader social justice causes, including women's rights and racial equality.
4. The temperance movement was often intertwined with religious groups who believed that alcohol consumption was morally wrong and detrimental to society.
5. The culmination of the temperance movement led to Prohibition in the 1920s, which was later repealed due to its inability to eliminate alcohol consumption and the rise of organized crime.

Review Questions

• How did the temperance movement connect to broader social issues in post-Civil War America?
  • The temperance movement was deeply intertwined with broader social issues such as poverty, domestic violence, and women's rights. Activists argued that reducing alcohol consumption would lead to healthier families and communities. Many leaders within the movement, like Frances Harper, used their platforms to advocate not just for temperance but also for racial equality and social reform, linking these issues together as part of a larger fight for justice.
• In what ways did literary figures contribute to the goals of the temperance movement during this period?
  • Literary figures played a critical role in promoting the goals of the temperance movement by using their writings to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption. They crafted stories, poems, and essays that highlighted personal experiences with alcoholism's devastating effects on families and communities. By bringing these narratives to a wider audience, they fostered empathy and encouraged societal change towards moderation and abstinence.
• Evaluate the impact of the temperance movement on later social reforms and how it influenced future generations’ views on alcohol consumption.
  • The temperance movement laid important groundwork for future social reforms by establishing a framework for collective action against perceived societal ills. It set a precedent for organized activism that continued into later movements for women's suffrage and civil rights. The legacy of temperance persisted beyond its initial goals, influencing contemporary views on alcohol consumption and shaping public policy discussions about substance use, leading to debates over regulation and public health that continue today.

Related terms

Prohibition: A nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States from 1920 to 1933.

Social Reform: Efforts aimed at improving society by addressing social issues like poverty, education, and public health, often linked to movements like temperance.

Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): An organization founded in 1874 that played a significant role in the temperance movement, promoting abstinence from alcohol and advocating for women's rights.