The Rise of Prohibition began with the Women’s Temperance Movement, a social and political campaign in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that aimed to reduce alcohol consumption in the United States. The movement was driven largely by women, who were concerned about the negative impact of alcohol on society, particularly on families and children. In 1874, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded and was the largest and most influential organization within the movement.
The WCTU believed that alcohol was the leading cause of social problems such as poverty, crime, and domestic violence as well as a major obstacle to the moral and spiritual progress of society. To advance their cause, temperance activists engaged in a variety of tactics, including lobbying for legislation, organizing public demonstrations and boycotts, and educating the public about the dangers of alcohol.
The movement’s efforts eventually led to the passage of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which established Prohibition in the United States. Prohibition went into effect in 1920 and banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. This law forced breweries and distilleries to shut down or change their business models During Prohibition.
However, the implementation of Prohibition was not successful. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, many people continued to consume alcohol, and organized crime networks emerged to meet the demand for illegal liquor. Prohibition also had unintended consequences, such as an increase in the use of other drugs, a rise in corruption and lawlessness, and a decline in the quality of alcohol available to those who did consume it.
Prohibition was eventually repealed with the passage of the 21st Amendment in 1933. The Women’s Temperance Movement continued to advocate for temperance and other social causes after the repeal of Prohibition, but it declined in influence over time. Today, the legacy of the Women’s Temperance Movement can still be seen in the ongoing debate over alcohol regulation and the role of alcohol in society. While the movement’s efforts to reduce alcohol consumption may not have been fully successful, it brought about significant changes in the laws and social norms related to alcohol in the United States.
Below are some artifacts from the Temperance Movement:
