American Temperance Society Research Paper

Dear esteemed members of the committee of the Righteous Hall of Fame,

In your quest to find a new Hall of Fame inductee, I offer up a viable candidate: The American Temperance Society. At a time of uncontrollable drunkenness, the American Temperance Society worked to do what seemed impossible, to restrict alcohol consumption. Many women and church members found the effect of alcohol on American at the time very unsettling and therefore worked to form the American Temperance Society. By forming committees, modifying regulations, and dedicating themselves to the cause, the American Temperance Society worked to improve civilization and the working class of America.
Alcohol ruined America in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. As …show more content…
After alcoholism was noticed in the 1740’s, unease grew with each national circumstance. Soldiers fighting in the Revolutionary War looked to alcohol to heal their pain, but when the war stopped alcohol became apart of their lives. Many could not stop drinking. After that, alcohol moved into the political sphere of the newly formed United States. The movement to limit alcohol consumption first began from 1761-1812. After the American Temperance society was formed, the movement truly pushed forward and change began. It is because of the American Temperance society, upheld by the tireless efforts of “protestant churches and women, who were frequently victims of family violence” caused by alcohol, that American evolved into a more stable society (Frost-Knappman). The American Temperance Society had many advocates during this time and the movement appealed to many, thus inducting The American Temperance Society into the Hall of Fame as it would be widely …show more content…
Saloons were the political hub of America. Many political meetings were held at saloons, excluding women, making them natural enemies. Therefore, the American Temperance society was heavily backed by women. “Armies” of women worked to end prostitution, fix asylums and orphanages, assist widows, and decrease alcohol consumption. In order to do this, the American Temperance society intended to create stronger government regulations. The Anti-Saloon League was formed in 1893 to end alcohol use/abuse and work to revise alcohol laws. Many women and Christians were in support of the American Temperance society. The “Woman's Christian Temperance Union [was formed] in 1874” Numerous other groups were assembled across the United States in support of the American Temperance Society, and not just by women and Christians. The first formal temperance group in the United States, the Union Temperance Society of Moreau and Northumberland, was formed on April 30, 1808 (Meacham). These newly formed committees showed the amount of support the American Temperance Society was gaining across America. After being informed of the atrocities of alcohol, Reverend Lyman Beecher joined the campaign. Reverend Lyman Beecher formed the “Connecticut Society for the Reformation of Morals” to support temperance, the restriction of alcohol consumption (Meacham). Organizations similar to this made a major impact on the temperance