The Temperance movement

The temperance movement

The temperance movement, was the effort to prohibit the drinking of alcohol. In the early 19th century, alcohol flowed freely in America. Liquor helped wash down slated meet and fish and until the 1840's, doctors dosed their patients with whiskey or brandy before operating. Many Americans, however understood the problem of drunkness. In 1826, the American Temperance society was founded and by 1833, about 6000 local societies dotted the country. These rallies, meetings and pamphlets brought a decline in alcohol that would last into the 1860's.