(above) Clubb, Henry, S.. The Maine Liquor Law. Map Showing the Extent of Prohibition in the United States in 1855.. New York: Fowler and Wells, 1856. On loan from Library Company of Philadelphia. This map of the United States, created in 1855, is divided into sections corresponding to the passage of these laws in the states and territories. Note the more widespread acceptance of Temperance in the northern (especially New England) states, and the seeming reticence among southern states to acquiesce to prohibition.
The Temperance Movement was the building blocks to the eventual Prohibition in the 20th century. The Temperance Movement began to gain weight in the 1830s as legislators began to speak out about the issues regarding “ardent spirits” (Grant 4). Political officials believed that eliminating the consumption of alcohol “would not only promote [the public’s] own personal benefit, but the good of the country and of the world” (Lincoln).
Political leaders such as Neal Down and Abraham Lincoln pushed for reform and allowed the movement to gain influence. Beginning in the 1830s, many political officials urged for the passing of laws to regulate the consumption of alcohol, in turn, propelling the Temperance Movement to be nationally recognized.
Many political officials held strong beliefs regarding the Temperance Movement, and used their authority to encourage the public to follow the movement and push for regulations. Neal Dow grew up believing in strong moral values and was a reformer in the Temperance Movement later in his life. It wasn’t until he became Portland’s mayor that he gained respect from the public, “drafted a bill, and lobbied legislature” (Carrol 24). Also, Abraham Lincoln spoke out about the Temperance Movement in his well-known Temperance Address of 1842. His address “celebrated the recent successes of the Temperance Movement” while “focusing implicitly on the effect of social reform movements on a republican regime” (Morel 3). Without influential political figures such as Neal Dow, Abraham Lincoln, etc. it was difficult for other reformers to grab the public’s attention and form legislation.
Through the efforts of many influential political figures, several steps were made towards stricter regulations of the consumption of alcohol. At first, legislators’ goal was to ban the sale of alcohol, but then began to insist that alcohol consumption should be eliminated completely in the late 19thcentury. Arguably, the first regulation on the sale of alcohol was the “fifteen-gallon law forbidding the sale of ardent spirits in less quantity than fifteen gallons” in 1838 (Grant 4). Dow continued to push for such regulations in the mid-1800s and finally, “Maine became the first state in America to ban the sale of alcohol, with strict punishments for noncompliance” in 1851 (Carrol 24). News of the Maine Laws spread nationally, and “between 1852 and 1855 a dozen other states adopted” them (Carrol 24). Also, in 1851 an act relating to Excise and Taverns was furthered that basically placed more restrictions on selling alcohol and on tavern owners; as a result, the number of distillers and taverns reduced drastically (Grant 4). Although several proposed bills did not pass or were ratified during the Temperance Movement, the legislation that was enacted proved to be influential and beneficial.
Although not all members of the public or even all political officials agreed with the Temperance Movement, it is evident that legislation and political officials were significant factors of the movement. The movement became known nationally after influential political figures began to speak out on the issue of temperance and the regulations that should be placed upon it. Clearly, Neal Dow, Abraham Lincoln, and the passage of several laws all played a key role in the national influence of the Temperance Movement. The Temperance Movement is often overlooked, but it is obvious that it was a significant stepping stone to Prohibition in the 1900s.
Carroll, Andrew. "Rum And Rights In Portland, Maine." American History 48.6 (2014): 24-25. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 May 2014.
Clubb, Henry. The Maine Liquor Law. Map Showing the Extent of Prohibition in the United States in 1855. New York: Fowler and Wells, 1856. On loan from Library Company of Philadelphia.
"Library Exhibits :: Temperance." Library Exhibits :: Temperance. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://exhibits.library.villanova.edu/lane/temperance/>.
License Law Meetimg [Sic]: At a Meeting Held at the United States Hotel in Worcester, on the Evening of the 5th Sept., by Those Opposed to the Recent Act of the Legislature, in Regard to the Sale of Spiritous Liquors, It Was Voted and Resolved as Follows:. (1838). [Worcester, Mass.: s.n.
Lincoln, Abraham . "Temperance Declaration." Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln 4: n. pag. Web. 3 May 2014.
"Liquor Regulation In America 1619 To 1920." Congressional Digest 12.1 (1933): 2-32. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 May 2014.
Morel, Lucas. "Lincoln among the Reformers: Tempering the Temperance Movement." Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association 20: 1-34. Web.
19 Apr. 2014.
Temperance: Constitution. (1851). The United States Magazine, and Democratic Review (1837-1851), 29(158), 105.
Political leaders such as Neal Down and Abraham Lincoln pushed for reform and allowed the movement to gain influence. Beginning in the 1830s, many political officials urged for the passing of laws to regulate the consumption of alcohol, in turn, propelling the Temperance Movement to be nationally recognized.
Many political officials held strong beliefs regarding the Temperance Movement, and used their authority to encourage the public to follow the movement and push for regulations. Neal Dow grew up believing in strong moral values and was a reformer in the Temperance Movement later in his life. It wasn’t until he became Portland’s mayor that he gained respect from the public, “drafted a bill, and lobbied legislature” (Carrol 24). Also, Abraham Lincoln spoke out about the Temperance Movement in his well-known Temperance Address of 1842. His address “celebrated the recent successes of the Temperance Movement” while “focusing implicitly on the effect of social reform movements on a republican regime” (Morel 3). Without influential political figures such as Neal Dow, Abraham Lincoln, etc. it was difficult for other reformers to grab the public’s attention and form legislation.
Through the efforts of many influential political figures, several steps were made towards stricter regulations of the consumption of alcohol. At first, legislators’ goal was to ban the sale of alcohol, but then began to insist that alcohol consumption should be eliminated completely in the late 19thcentury. Arguably, the first regulation on the sale of alcohol was the “fifteen-gallon law forbidding the sale of ardent spirits in less quantity than fifteen gallons” in 1838 (Grant 4). Dow continued to push for such regulations in the mid-1800s and finally, “Maine became the first state in America to ban the sale of alcohol, with strict punishments for noncompliance” in 1851 (Carrol 24). News of the Maine Laws spread nationally, and “between 1852 and 1855 a dozen other states adopted” them (Carrol 24). Also, in 1851 an act relating to Excise and Taverns was furthered that basically placed more restrictions on selling alcohol and on tavern owners; as a result, the number of distillers and taverns reduced drastically (Grant 4). Although several proposed bills did not pass or were ratified during the Temperance Movement, the legislation that was enacted proved to be influential and beneficial.
Although not all members of the public or even all political officials agreed with the Temperance Movement, it is evident that legislation and political officials were significant factors of the movement. The movement became known nationally after influential political figures began to speak out on the issue of temperance and the regulations that should be placed upon it. Clearly, Neal Dow, Abraham Lincoln, and the passage of several laws all played a key role in the national influence of the Temperance Movement. The Temperance Movement is often overlooked, but it is obvious that it was a significant stepping stone to Prohibition in the 1900s.
Carroll, Andrew. "Rum And Rights In Portland, Maine." American History 48.6 (2014): 24-25. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 May 2014.
Clubb, Henry. The Maine Liquor Law. Map Showing the Extent of Prohibition in the United States in 1855. New York: Fowler and Wells, 1856. On loan from Library Company of Philadelphia.
"Library Exhibits :: Temperance." Library Exhibits :: Temperance. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://exhibits.library.villanova.edu/lane/temperance/>.
License Law Meetimg [Sic]: At a Meeting Held at the United States Hotel in Worcester, on the Evening of the 5th Sept., by Those Opposed to the Recent Act of the Legislature, in Regard to the Sale of Spiritous Liquors, It Was Voted and Resolved as Follows:. (1838). [Worcester, Mass.: s.n.
Lincoln, Abraham . "Temperance Declaration." Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln 4: n. pag. Web. 3 May 2014.
"Liquor Regulation In America 1619 To 1920." Congressional Digest 12.1 (1933): 2-32. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 May 2014.
Morel, Lucas. "Lincoln among the Reformers: Tempering the Temperance Movement." Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association 20: 1-34. Web.
19 Apr. 2014.
Temperance: Constitution. (1851). The United States Magazine, and Democratic Review (1837-1851), 29(158), 105.