Dr. Benjamin Rush - 1745 to 1813
Dr. Rush Was an early proponent of Temperance; as a medical and psychiatric doctor he saw the damage that drinking excessive amounts of strong spirits could cause. He felt if the nation did not do something to control this trend of drunkenness among its people the new nation would not last.
Reverend Lyman Beecher - 1757 to 1863
While Reverend Beecher was a preacher in Litchfield, Connecticut he saw so much drunkenness from the members of his church that he gave six sermons on Intemperance (alcohol intoxication). These sermons were later published and were used to lead a crusade for total abstinence.
To read Reverend Beecher's sermons go to Six Sermons on Intemperance
To read Reverend Beecher's sermons go to Six Sermons on Intemperance
Carrie Nation - 1846 to 1911
Carrie Nation was a member of the Woman's Temperance Union in Medicine Lodge, Kansas in 1989. Carrie also campaigned for Kansas to enforce their law banning the sale of alcohol. At first Carrie would protest by serenading customers with hymns.
When this method did not get the results she had hoped for she developed a new strategy she gather numerous rocks when to a saloon in Kiowa, Kanas and destroy the saloon's supply of alcohol, she then when to the two remaining saloons in town and did the same thing. Although it lead to her arrest numerous times she continued to destroy saloons all over Kansas. After a raid in Wichita it was suggested of she used a hatchet she could cause more damage, from then on out that is exactly what she did. With members of the Temperance Union or by herself, she would enter a bar singing hymn and saying prays while smashing the place to bits with her hatchet. During a ten year period Carrie Nation was arrested about 30 times.
When this method did not get the results she had hoped for she developed a new strategy she gather numerous rocks when to a saloon in Kiowa, Kanas and destroy the saloon's supply of alcohol, she then when to the two remaining saloons in town and did the same thing. Although it lead to her arrest numerous times she continued to destroy saloons all over Kansas. After a raid in Wichita it was suggested of she used a hatchet she could cause more damage, from then on out that is exactly what she did. With members of the Temperance Union or by herself, she would enter a bar singing hymn and saying prays while smashing the place to bits with her hatchet. During a ten year period Carrie Nation was arrested about 30 times.
The Anti-Saloon League
The Anti-Saloon League was formed in 1893 and Was the first political movement to work toward a specific goal, and their goal was to stop the sale of alcohol. Although the league was founded by Reverend Howard Russell in Oberlin, Ohio, under the guidance of Wayne Wheeler the league became strongest force in the Temperance cause.
Wayne Wheeler was able to get politicians to do what he wanted by sticking to just one issue of Prohibition and did not care what other issues they might support. With the support of the members of the league he was able to target 70 Ohio politicians who did not support the league and get them out of office. The League worked with most churches and both major political parties. Most other temperance groups only backed politicians in the Prohibition Party.
Wayne Wheeler was able to get politicians to do what he wanted by sticking to just one issue of Prohibition and did not care what other issues they might support. With the support of the members of the league he was able to target 70 Ohio politicians who did not support the league and get them out of office. The League worked with most churches and both major political parties. Most other temperance groups only backed politicians in the Prohibition Party.
Other Organizations that helps bring about Prohibition
- American Temperance Society in 1826
- Washingtonian Temperance Society of reformed drunkards in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840
- Women's Christian Temperance Union