From aiding the start of the Civil War to spearheading education for African-Americans and women, the city of Oberlin has played a pivotal role in many progressive movements throughout history. However, not everything about Oberlin is as forward-thinking. Since its inception in 1833, the city has been a strong proponent of temperance, and an even stronger leader in the fight to pass the National Prohibition Act. While cherry-picking beliefs from liberal and conservative ideologies may seem contradictory, the dissonance can be explained by intent.
Oberlin has always been recognized as a hub for idealism. Like the Puritans who came to the New World, the founders of Oberlin sought to form their own “City Upon a Hill.” When it was first established, founders John Shipherd and Philo P. Stewart sought to form a “religious community,” complete with missionaries to spread the word of God (“History of Oberlin”). The Oberlin Inn, which was among the first structures built, embodied Shipherd and Stewart’s idealism. Alcohol and tobacco were banned, and prayers were recited regularly before meals (Love 1955). The …show more content…
Popularized in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries, temperance rose from the belief that alcohol was tied to social ills such as “unemployment, neglect of children, and domestic violence” (“The Temperance Movement”). Strong support of these ideas eventually led to the creation of the Anti-Saloon League in 1874 (Cherrington 1913). This organization eventually became a key player in establishing the 18th amendment (Cherrington 1913). While the ideology is conservative, the intentions behind following temperance came from a desire of wanting to better society. In believing in both abolition and prohibition, Oberlin was simply taking the principles it believed benefitted society and Frankenstein-ing them into a moral code for its own
Oberlin has always been recognized as a hub for idealism. Like the Puritans who came to the New World, the founders of Oberlin sought to form their own “City Upon a Hill.” When it was first established, founders John Shipherd and Philo P. Stewart sought to form a “religious community,” complete with missionaries to spread the word of God (“History of Oberlin”). The Oberlin Inn, which was among the first structures built, embodied Shipherd and Stewart’s idealism. Alcohol and tobacco were banned, and prayers were recited regularly before meals (Love 1955). The …show more content…
Popularized in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries, temperance rose from the belief that alcohol was tied to social ills such as “unemployment, neglect of children, and domestic violence” (“The Temperance Movement”). Strong support of these ideas eventually led to the creation of the Anti-Saloon League in 1874 (Cherrington 1913). This organization eventually became a key player in establishing the 18th amendment (Cherrington 1913). While the ideology is conservative, the intentions behind following temperance came from a desire of wanting to better society. In believing in both abolition and prohibition, Oberlin was simply taking the principles it believed benefitted society and Frankenstein-ing them into a moral code for its own