1900-1920

The Temperance Movement

From the beginning of the 20th century, until the early twenties, organizations made the issue of prohibition of alcohol a national issue. This effort came with the passage of the eighteenth amendment banning the sale, or consumption of alcohol anywhere in the US. In order to get their point across prohibitionists needed to prove the evils which were presented by alcohol. Groups like the American Medical Association, along with other members of the educated public, joined forces in order to fight the evils which alcohol presented. These people, along with businessmen, tried to explain how alcohol violated the theories of proper social life. Other groups tried to show how alcohol would ruin the American way of life. Women were the major force behind the temperance movement. The reason for this was because they were afraid of the abuse, disease, and poverty which was brought on by alcohol. Women were looking to preserve the purity of the American family, and therefore were very involved in influencing legislation. But the Temperance movement was a total disaster. "Bootleggers" brought alcohol over from Canada, and many people became quit e proficient in developing home- made brews. However, it was a process which helped shape America. For the first time women became very active in influencing legislation, and the democratic process.