Temperance Movement
By, Lucas Poznak, Matt Laken, Eric
Winograd, Michael Liptsyn
Background Information
• A temperance movement is a social movement urging
reduced or prohibited use of alcoholic drinks
• Temperance movements typically criticizes excessive
alcohol use and it promotes 100% abstinence
• In the 1840’s before anesthetics were made. Doctors
would give patients whiskey or brandy before surgery
• The average person would drink rum, gin, whiskey,
beer, wine, or hard cider with meat and fish in their
everyday life
Leaders
Mary C. Vaughan
Mary C. Vaughan acted against the temperance movement in Albany,
NY in 1852 she spoke against alcohol.
“Oh! The misery, the utter, hopeless misery of the drunkard’s wife.”
Lyman Beecher
Beecher was the Connecticut minister, he lectured against liquor in
1825. He set the foundation for the American Temperance Society
founded one year later.
Amelia Bloomer
Amelia was the editor of the Lily, a famous newspaper that voiced
women’s opinions on alcohol and how it affects their daily lives. The
Ladies Temperance Society was known as the newspaper to encourage
more women to voice their opinion.
Accomplishments
American Temperance Society
This society was founded in 1826, it declined the consumption of alcohol by
holding rallies and making speeches to create awareness. Mary C.
Vaughan was one of the speakers of the society that attested to the evils
of awareness.
The National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
This Union was founded in 1874, they protest about the dangers of alcohol.
They were able to ban alcohol from hundreds of communities, there main
goal was to create a total abstinence of alcohol in America. There main
reason for protest was there lack of civilian rights.
Connection to Jacksonian Democracy
• Andrew Jackson supported a rise in the “common
man” or the power given to individuals. During
the temperance movement, the common
man/women like Mary C. Vaughan took power
into her own hands in the attempt to stop or
hinder the use of alcohol by men. Also in 1825
Lyman Beecher lectured his disapproval of
alcoholic use. This movement gave leeway to the
way the public view on there impact in society,
just like the idea Jackson that the voice of the
“common man” were often ignored and needed
to be heard.
1. Who had a major voice in the American
Temperance Society?
A. Mary C. Vaughan
B. Amelia Bloomer
C. Lyman Beecher
D. Angelina Grimke
2. What was the name of the society that Lyman
Beecher had a major influence on?
A. Seneca Falls Ladies Temperance Society
B. American Temperance Society
C. National Woman’s Christian Temperance
Union
D. Beecher Report
3. Which word(s) could be used to explain the
temperance movement?
A. Alcoholism
B. Men’s Rights
C. Women’s Rights
D. None of the above
E. Both A and C