Two Source Analysis Essay
Carrie Nation and Saloon Culture
Lillian Stephens
HIS 202
Man’s vices have always plagued progression; whether it be sex, drugs, or sin- there will continuously be temptation. The beginning of the twentieth century was no different, with alcohol running rampant in shady saloons, there was a constant invitation to immoralities. Wanting to abolish these depravities, America began to introduce the prohibition of alcohol. Carrie A. Nation coined her name in her name in her book, “The Use and Need of Carry a Nation,” she accounted on her disapproval of the male’s interest in alcohol. While on the contrary, socialist Royal Melendy’s journal, “The Saloon in Chicago,” argued that saloons were the backbones of American towns. Regardless of the morality of the saloon-life, men will have their sex and spirits- abolishment will not change their character. …show more content…
Frustrated with the dependence the average American man had on their liquor, Nation vandalized several saloons by breaking mirrors and bottles. Convinced the taverns were the heart of America’s problems, Nation proclaimed the institutions were “butchering men, women, and children, positively contrary to the laws of God and man.” She later recounted the lude way women were depicted in such establishments, their naked bodies hung up for the opposite sex’s excitement, “animating the animal in man and degrading the respect he should have for the sex to whom he owes his being.” Off in saloons, men would ignore their wives and children while spending the family finances on booze and broads. The book was to inspire other Americans to “suppress the dreadful curse of liquor.” Of course, there are at all times contrary opinions to every instance, in this case, it was for the culture of the
Carrie Nation and Saloon Culture
Lillian Stephens
HIS 202
Man’s vices have always plagued progression; whether it be sex, drugs, or sin- there will continuously be temptation. The beginning of the twentieth century was no different, with alcohol running rampant in shady saloons, there was a constant invitation to immoralities. Wanting to abolish these depravities, America began to introduce the prohibition of alcohol. Carrie A. Nation coined her name in her name in her book, “The Use and Need of Carry a Nation,” she accounted on her disapproval of the male’s interest in alcohol. While on the contrary, socialist Royal Melendy’s journal, “The Saloon in Chicago,” argued that saloons were the backbones of American towns. Regardless of the morality of the saloon-life, men will have their sex and spirits- abolishment will not change their character. …show more content…
Frustrated with the dependence the average American man had on their liquor, Nation vandalized several saloons by breaking mirrors and bottles. Convinced the taverns were the heart of America’s problems, Nation proclaimed the institutions were “butchering men, women, and children, positively contrary to the laws of God and man.” She later recounted the lude way women were depicted in such establishments, their naked bodies hung up for the opposite sex’s excitement, “animating the animal in man and degrading the respect he should have for the sex to whom he owes his being.” Off in saloons, men would ignore their wives and children while spending the family finances on booze and broads. The book was to inspire other Americans to “suppress the dreadful curse of liquor.” Of course, there are at all times contrary opinions to every instance, in this case, it was for the culture of the