The Temperance Movement
Temperance as a movement, started in the early 19th century. Before this, although there were diatribes published against drunkenness and excess,[1] total abstinence from alcohol was very rarely advocated or practiced. There was also a concentration on hard spirits rather than on total abstinence from alcohol and on moral reform rather than legal measures against alcohol.[2]
An early Temperance movement started during the American revolution in Connecticut, Virginia and New York State, with farmers forming associations to ban whiskey distilling. The movement spread to eight states, advocating temperance rather than abstinence and taking positions on moral issues such as observance of the Sabbath.[3] The American Temperance Society was formed in 1826, within 12 years claiming more than 8,000 local groups and over 1,500,000 members.
At roughly the same time temperance societies were founded in England, inspired by a Belfast professor of theology, and Presbyterian Church of Ireland Minister Rev. John Edgar,[4] who poured his stock of whiskey out of his window in 1829. He mainly concentrated his fire on the elimination of spirits rather than wine and beer.[2] On 14 August 1829 he wrote a letter in the Belfast Telegraph publicizing his views on temperance. He also formed the Ulster Temperance Movement with other Presbyterian clergy, initially enduring ridicule from members of his community.[5]
Another influential campaigner of the time, was Joseph Livesey, who opened the first temperance hotel in 1833 and the next year founded the first temperance magazine, The Preston Temperance Advocate (1834–37).[6] The British Association for the Promotion of Temperance was established by 1835.[7][8]
The 1830s saw a tremendous growth in temperance movements, not just in England and the US, but also in British colonies, especially New Zealand[9] and
An early Temperance movement started during the American revolution in Connecticut, Virginia and New York State, with farmers forming associations to ban whiskey distilling. The movement spread to eight states, advocating temperance rather than abstinence and taking positions on moral issues such as observance of the Sabbath.[3] The American Temperance Society was formed in 1826, within 12 years claiming more than 8,000 local groups and over 1,500,000 members.
At roughly the same time temperance societies were founded in England, inspired by a Belfast professor of theology, and Presbyterian Church of Ireland Minister Rev. John Edgar,[4] who poured his stock of whiskey out of his window in 1829. He mainly concentrated his fire on the elimination of spirits rather than wine and beer.[2] On 14 August 1829 he wrote a letter in the Belfast Telegraph publicizing his views on temperance. He also formed the Ulster Temperance Movement with other Presbyterian clergy, initially enduring ridicule from members of his community.[5]
Another influential campaigner of the time, was Joseph Livesey, who opened the first temperance hotel in 1833 and the next year founded the first temperance magazine, The Preston Temperance Advocate (1834–37).[6] The British Association for the Promotion of Temperance was established by 1835.[7][8]
The 1830s saw a tremendous growth in temperance movements, not just in England and the US, but also in British colonies, especially New Zealand[9] and