- One of the first instances of major change was the founding of the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement (WCTU) in 1874.
- Appealing to Protestant opinion in the Midwest, initially the WCTU worked to ban alcoholic drinking to safeguard the family.
Protestant America had a strong opposition to both alcohol and sexual promiscuity.
- By 1880, the WCTU had grown to be a national organisation in 24 states with a membership of 27,000 women.
- By the 1880s it had 168,000 members.
- By 1920 membership reached 800,000.
Women organised its activities and set out its programme and strategy, giving them valuable experience in publicity and mobilising support for a national cause.
- Under its leader, Frances Willard, the WCTU achieved its political aims when they persuaded local legislature to ban alcohol.
This campaign involved political pressure with lobbying (sending petitions, letters to President and Congress) and mass meetings.
- In the North, many members had supported abolitionism and women’s suffrage.
- In the South, much of its appeal was due to a desire to restrict the sale of liquor to AAs as it was believed drunkenness would make them uncontrollable and violent.
- However, African American women were also enthusiastic because of the moral aspect, their strong religious beliefs and membership of Baptist churches.
This movement did have success when alcohol was banned federally after the 18th Amendment in 1919.
- 46/48 states actually ratified it!