Temperance in Gilded Age // Flashcards
How did the WCTU form?
The WCTU was formed in 1874 and established by Anthony and Stanton to promote suffrage and fight the evils of drinking. The pressure group was mostly white middle class women. Activities were expanded to welfare work, prison reform, and public health, and by 1890 there were 150,000 members. Frances Willard was the second president and gave the WCTU power under her leadership. She organised the Chicago WCTU and by 1891 was elected president of the World Woman’s Temperance Union.
What was the ASL?
The Anti Saloon League, ASL, was formed in 1893 and collaborated with the WCTU after 1898 when Frances Willard died. It was non partisan and was led by Wayne Wheeler who supported pro-prohibition candidates in elections. It gained most support in rural North and South and by WWI many Western and mid-Western states became dry.
How was the temperance movement united?
The cause fought for protection in the home and had active protest such as the Women’s Crusade which demanded prohibition, 1873-4. Alongside this, women took leaflets to saloons, lobbied shopkeepers and held prayer meetings and vigils.
By 1913 due to successful lobbying tactics by the ASL and WCTU, 9 states had prohibited alcohol.
