Temperance movement

A Temperance Movement (see definition of temperance) attempts to greatly reduce the amount of alcohol consumed or even prohibit its production and consumption entirely.

Temperance Movements around the World

A number of countries around the world have experienced temperance movements, a few examples of which are presented here.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Australia, a temperance movement began in the mid-1830s promoting moderation rather than abstinence. By the late 1800s a more successful abstinence-oriented movement emerged under the influence of the U.S. temperance movement. However, it failed to bring about prohibition in spite of a long campaign for local option. Its major success was in prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages after 6:00 in the afternoon, a law which led to the notoriouos ?six-o?clock swill.? This refers to the practice whereby customers would rush to drinking establishments after work and consume alcohol heavily and rapidly in anticipation of the 6:00 closing.

Related Topics:
Australia - Alcoholic beverages

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Canada, a temperance movement began in the 1800s. Temperance societies were established across the country except in Quebec. There, the Catholic Church promoted moderation rather than abstinence. However, over much opposition, the temperance movement managed to impose prohibition throughout the entire country early in the twentieth century. Except for Prince Edward Island, which was the first province to enact prohibition (1907) and the last to repeal it (1948), other provinces maintained prohibition for relatively short periods of time. This ranged from only one year in Quebec (1918-19919) to 13 years in Nova Scotia (1916-1929).

Related Topics:
Canada - Quebec - Catholic Church - Prince Edward Island - Nova Scotia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A temperance movement developed in Denmark in the 1860s and grew rapidly. Its base was largely labor unions and various religious groups, but the movement was never powerful enough to establish prohibition in this liberal country.

Related Topics:
Denmark - Labor unions

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In England, the temperance movement was largely a middle class phenomenon that originally focused on controlling, not preventing, drinking among the working class. However, in 1832, a group emerged in the belief that "teetotalism" or abstainig by everyone was necessary. At first the group advocated persuasion but in 1851, after the state of Maine in the U.S. passed a prohibition law, the group advocated mandatory abstinence by force of law. Lacking support from churches, labor or other groups, prohibition remained a dream in England.

Related Topics:
England - Teetotalism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the last decades of the nineteenth century, Iceland?s Youth Organization and chapters of the International Order of Good Templars, both of which promoted prohibition, grew in power and influence. National prohibition existed between 1915 and 1922 However, a ban on the importation of spirits lasted until 1934 and on alcoholic beer until 1988.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A temperance movement in India came originally from the political leadership, most of whom had been educated in the United Kingdom at a time when prohibition was being promoted. This served to link prohibition with the independence movement and give it a broad base of popular support. This base included women and a major activity of women?s groups became picketing alcohol beverage retailers. Because temperance became so interwoven with independence, it was included in the Indian constitution.

Related Topics:
India - United Kingdom

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A temperance movement existed in Italy for a few years in the late 1800s, but it made little headway. The greatest success temperance forces had in Italy was under Benito Mussolini and his fascist government, which closed thousands of pubs. Although Adolph Hitler was a teetotaler, he never imposed prohibition on Germany.

Related Topics:
Italy - Benito Mussolini - Fascist - Adolph Hitler - Teetotaler - Germany

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the Netherlands, temperance activists were active as early as 1800 and even before that. By about 1880, the movement lost membership. However in the late 1800s until after World War I, the temperance movement became very strong. It received much support from the socialist movement and various Christian groups. With its increased power, the movement achieved a number of successes in reducing alcohol consumption but then it began a slow decline in membership and influence.

Related Topics:
Netherlands - World War I

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Beginning in the early 1890s until 1918, New Zealand had a growing temperance movement. However, for the next 30 years (1918-1948, there was a political stalemate between prohibition and liberalization. Then for about 20 years, there was a gradual liberalization and normalization of alcohol use.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first temperance society in Norway was established in 1836 and by 1844 there were at least 118 such societies. They promoted moderation rather than abstinence. However, in 1859 a movement for the formation of societies whose members would pledge ?total abstinence from the use of alcoholic drinks? was started by Asbjorn Kloster. The Norwegian Storthing provided the societies with financial support.

Related Topics:
Norway - Storthing

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A faction of the movement led by Sven Arrestad promoted a gradual movement toward prohibition. However, the majority preferred going more quickly to national prohibition, which existed from 1916 to 1927. Prohibition parties are still active in Norway.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Poland, a temperance movement emerged in the mid-1800?s that was both religious and nationalistic. Temperance rhetoric equated freedom from alcohol with freedom from political bondage and the achievement of national independence. After Poland regained political independence in 1918, prohibitionist sentiment grew with the demand for prohibition, but it subsided in the 1930?s.

Related Topics:
Poland - Nationalistic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~