Promotion Of Temperance Essay

The Temperance Movement sought to end the increasingly common issue of excessive drinking. Due to the social customs of the time, alcoholism consumed many individuals, mainly men. Drinking was “a basic part of men’s working lives”. (Faragher, p.438) Toasts were routine at work and at social gatherings alike for men. Women, who abstained from public drinking, and children were left to bear the consequent burdens. Economic affairs were controlled by men, making it easy for a family’s savings could easily be squandered on alcohol. Social status was, also, affected by drunkenness. Temperance supporters hoped to stop alcohol consumption and thus end these undesirable results.

The American Society for the Promotion of Temperance was founded
by members of the growing middle class in 1826. The middle class did not accept the abundant drinking as previous classes had. They found it immoral and unsafe. The American Society for the Promotion of Temperance, “the largest reform organization of the period”, gained momentum and support. (Faragher, p.439) As time went on, many others began to agree with the middle class in this conclusion. Factory owners prohibited drinking on the job because it affected an employee’s performance, often making working with machinery hazardous. Skilled workers and artisans joined the movement. They, men and women, even created their own institutes, the Washington Temperance Societies and Martha Washington Societies. Men emphasized the political aspects of the problem while women placed emphasis on the dangers of drunkenness.

Temperance soon changed from a solely social concern to become a political problem as well.
The two prominent political parties, the Whigs and the Democrats, had opposing views on temperance. Whigs were supporters, Democrats were not. The Democrats were not alone in their hostility. Immigrants, who were accustomed to the routine drinking, were also resistant. Despite this resistance and hostility, these anti-alcohol promotions were quite victorious in their
efforts.

Women were extremely involved in social reform. Reform societies even had all-female groups, such as the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. These groups allowed the formation and enforcement of their members’ ideas. Most women were too occupied with personal tasks to join movements but some were able to participate in addition to their duties. Two such women were Sarah and Angelina Grimké. These sisters left their home and wealthy family in South Carolina to become a part of the abolitionist movement in the North. Their personal experience with slavery made the Grimké sisters popular speakers. They, as was proper, spoke to female audiences at first. Eventually, the Grimkés spoke to diverse audiences of men and women. Sarah and Angelina Grimké were “the first female public speakers in America”. (Faragher, p.446) The sisters faced great opposition for their abolitionist beliefs and for their gender. Sarah Grimké defended their rights by writing that men and women were created equal and that whatever actions were right for men were right for women too in Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Women.

The equality of men and women was furthered discussed at the Seneca Falls Convention.
In 1848, hundreds of people journeyed to Seneca Falls to the first female right’s convention in the history of the United States. This gathering, planned by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, constructed the Declaration of Sentiments. This document was a petition that pointed out the subjugations pushed upon women by men. These repressions included lesser legal, religious, and political rights. Women’s rights conventions became yearly gatherings. They were relatively successful. Certain laws were changed to be more favorable to women. Women played a crucial part in the social reforms of the 1840’s and questioned many popular sexist notions. “Women reformers believed they had a right and duty to propose solutions for the moral and social problems of the day.” (Faragher,
p.447)

Education reformation was a major social reform during the 1840’s. Women played an essential role in this reform. Previously, childhood was seen as a period of sinfulness. A godly child was created by breaking said child’s spirit. This was done through mechanical teaching styles and callous, physical reprimands. A more optimistic view of childhood surfaced at this time. Childhood was seen as a period of innocence. A godly child was created by comforting and bolstering said child’s spirit. With this new view came a more materialistic and nurturing view of teaching. This fresh perspective was lead by Horace Mann. Mann was the Massachusetts State Board of Education secretary.

Schooling was no longer reserved for the privileged who could afford it. By 1827, public taxes financed public schools in Massachusetts. Education for children between five and nineteen was routine. (Faragher, p.437) Mann proposed standardized studies and training which became popular in the North and West. Mainly young, unmarried women taught students usually for a month-long term. The hiring of women was an idea offered by Catharine Beecher, the daughter of Lyman Beecher, a Christian reform group founder. Catharine Beecher believed strongly in the benefits of female teachers and fiercely fought for them.

Women quickly became popular as primary school teachers. Teaching quickly became the first viable profession for young women before they married. This drew numerous women who sought new experiences in the West or on missionary trips throughout the world. Despite their popularity as teachers, women received half the earnings of their male counterparts. They also endured the stern, overseeing eye of the community family they were forced to stay with during their teaching years.

Women were vital to all of these social reforms. All of these reforms hoped to bring about a better, more moral society. Accountability, morality, and decency were major components to each movement. These reformists wanted to improve the American character. They wanted to create a community of ethical, honorable, good people. Temperance, women’s rights, and education reform started as social issues and became political issues. Societal improvements called for legislative improvements. The North spearheaded all of these transformations. The West followed the lead of the North and progressed as well. The South did not welcome the reforms. They were behind in all of them. They preferred to keep their “Peculiar System”-dominated society rather than progress like the rest of the union.

Reforms flourished in the 1830’s and 1840’s because the United States finally had the time and energy to focus inward. The country was no longer dealing with any serious economic downturns, foreign conflicts, or political issues. Citizens could focus on the problems within our American community; an opportunity they had not had before. The print and transportation revolution allowed for the expansion of that American community. More people could learn more information than ever before in the United States. Ideas could spread with much greater ease across towns and cities, counties, states and the country.