(above) http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/seagrams/temper/images/sea2.jpg Dr. Benjamin Rush's "An Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits upon the Human Body and Mind". The controversial publication which called alcohol consumption into doubt by exposing the dangers of over-consumption.
The Temperance Movement of the mid-19th century could arguably find roots with one of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Rush, who also led a promising career in the field of medicine as a physician. However, in 1805, he wrote an essay entitled “The Effects of Ardent Spirits Upon Man” which reflected upon uses of alcohol and its effects on humans.[1] This was made public and since has spurred a series of arguments which debate the morality of alcohol since it no longer held a place in medicine. Not only were doctors disputing morality in alcohol consumption,
but years before the publication, Quakers and Methodists attacked alcohol consumption.[2] As time passed, the topic gained more and more attention at the national level. Dr. Benjamin Rush’s work was making society more aware of the detrimental damage being done to their bodies by alcohol. However, to bring about change, citizens would have to band together or rise above the rest to convince society to moderate their already startling drinking habits. Various groups were started in hopes of bringing temperance into mainstream society, a few of which were prominent in the battle like the Sons of Temperance, the American Temperance Society, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (whose president, Frances Willard, would prove to serve a key role in two controversial topics in the US at the time: women’s suffrage and temperance. Both of which she did help to accomplish[3]), and even various churches which pushed for social change in regards to alcohol consumption in the United States. These groups and many more were the champions of the cause. Rather than individuals rising above the cause and taking charge, the union of citizens proved to be the most effective leader in the battle against alcohol. In fact, the union of a minister and Dr. Benjamin Rush led the fight against alcohol abuse and led campaigns that combined both scientific reasoning and moral reasoning that appealed to the nation. However a few individual men are credited with taking matters into their own hands to press social change by lobbying laws. A former mayor of Portland, Maine, Neal S. Dow convinced the state of Maine to pass their own law to prohibit alcohol consumption.[4] Although this was not the first prohibition law in the US, it is recognized as the first law since it was the most effective.[5] This was foreseen by James C. Goble who claimed “I trust we are not yet so far debased, corrupted and fallen politically as thus tamely to yield our liberties up…”[6] Goble believed that lawmaking was not going to accomplish the goals of temperance. History would prove that Goble was correct in his beliefs. In fact, the Maine Law went into effect in 1851 and a few other states passed their own version of the Maine Law, however most of which were unsuccessful and repealed which would prove Goble was correct in saying the goal would still be left unfulfilled.[7] History would also prove how powerful groups of willful, determined, and in some cases angry citizens can bring about their desired change by promoting awareness and change. The temperance movement was a movement brought on almost entirely by the people, and their unions helped bring their cause to the surface and bring further awareness to society. Since society feared alcohol and demanded it be removed from society, the government complied. And thus, the groups of concerned citizens have just achieved their goal of lowering the consumption of alcohol in the United States.
[1] Leah, R. B. (2004, Fall). Alcohol, Temperance and Prohibition. Alcohol, Temperance and Prohibition. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://library.brown.edu/cds/temperance/essay.html
[2] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
[3] Frances Willard. (n.d.). Frances. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from http://www.wctu.org/frances_willard.html
[4] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
[5] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
[6] The Alcoholic Republic: Temperance in the United States. The Journal of Presbyterian History (1997-), 81, 60.
[7] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
but years before the publication, Quakers and Methodists attacked alcohol consumption.[2] As time passed, the topic gained more and more attention at the national level. Dr. Benjamin Rush’s work was making society more aware of the detrimental damage being done to their bodies by alcohol. However, to bring about change, citizens would have to band together or rise above the rest to convince society to moderate their already startling drinking habits. Various groups were started in hopes of bringing temperance into mainstream society, a few of which were prominent in the battle like the Sons of Temperance, the American Temperance Society, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (whose president, Frances Willard, would prove to serve a key role in two controversial topics in the US at the time: women’s suffrage and temperance. Both of which she did help to accomplish[3]), and even various churches which pushed for social change in regards to alcohol consumption in the United States. These groups and many more were the champions of the cause. Rather than individuals rising above the cause and taking charge, the union of citizens proved to be the most effective leader in the battle against alcohol. In fact, the union of a minister and Dr. Benjamin Rush led the fight against alcohol abuse and led campaigns that combined both scientific reasoning and moral reasoning that appealed to the nation. However a few individual men are credited with taking matters into their own hands to press social change by lobbying laws. A former mayor of Portland, Maine, Neal S. Dow convinced the state of Maine to pass their own law to prohibit alcohol consumption.[4] Although this was not the first prohibition law in the US, it is recognized as the first law since it was the most effective.[5] This was foreseen by James C. Goble who claimed “I trust we are not yet so far debased, corrupted and fallen politically as thus tamely to yield our liberties up…”[6] Goble believed that lawmaking was not going to accomplish the goals of temperance. History would prove that Goble was correct in his beliefs. In fact, the Maine Law went into effect in 1851 and a few other states passed their own version of the Maine Law, however most of which were unsuccessful and repealed which would prove Goble was correct in saying the goal would still be left unfulfilled.[7] History would also prove how powerful groups of willful, determined, and in some cases angry citizens can bring about their desired change by promoting awareness and change. The temperance movement was a movement brought on almost entirely by the people, and their unions helped bring their cause to the surface and bring further awareness to society. Since society feared alcohol and demanded it be removed from society, the government complied. And thus, the groups of concerned citizens have just achieved their goal of lowering the consumption of alcohol in the United States.
[1] Leah, R. B. (2004, Fall). Alcohol, Temperance and Prohibition. Alcohol, Temperance and Prohibition. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://library.brown.edu/cds/temperance/essay.html
[2] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
[3] Frances Willard. (n.d.). Frances. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from http://www.wctu.org/frances_willard.html
[4] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
[5] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.
[6] The Alcoholic Republic: Temperance in the United States. The Journal of Presbyterian History (1997-), 81, 60.
[7] Rorabaugh, W. J. (1991, January 1). Alcohol in America. OAH Magazine, 6, 18.