The WCTU was formed as the influence of alcohol on Americans became so extreme and destructive that temperance became a necessity. Women, and specifically the WCTU, had a strong desire to lead the movement because of how alcohol affected women and children in the household and because of some desire to gain political rights and a more respected status in society.
Reason and Motivation for the Creation of the WCTU
Social Conditions“The American drinking bill is tremendous--more than 14 billion dollars per year. Government licenses the sale of liquor and collects taxes from this sale. The taxes collected, however, do not equal the enforcement costs and loss of property cost that drinking brings to America” (Scientific Temperance Journal).
“We know that, throughout history, increased crime and increased drinking go hand in hand” (Scientific Temperance Journal). Motivations of Women"'The New Crusade' is what the vigorous temperance movement breaking out all over the land is called. That there is unusual motivation, energy, and determination in the matter of opposition to the 'liquor traffic' is too apparent to escape the observation of the most obtuse…The women furnish most of the force, and it is very effective" (Cook).
"1. It is more difficult for a woman to obtain a livelihood alone than for a man to do so, and so she has a deeper interest than a man in the home
2. Woman’s love of the home is the natural antagonist of the enemies of the home, and among these perhaps the most mischievous is intemperance. 5. A temperance vote by women would be a test by which the theory of woman’s suffrage could be tried on a restricted scale without danger" (Cook). |
“At that time no thought was given to purposes of self-interest except as the rescue of loved ones from vice and crime may be so called” (Baldridge, Mrs. C. A.,Miller).
With heavy drinking came crime, poverty, and domestic violence which built up strong anti-alcohol sentiment, especially in women, leading to the creation of the WCTU in order to protect women and child, and to use this opportunity to begin the fight for suffrage. |
As the WCTU grew and developed, two distinct mindsets developed based upon the differing ideals and opinions women held regarding their prescribed place in society. While some thought women belonged in the domestic sphere and held the great responsibilities of raising and educating the future generations, others idealized the opportunity to escape the traditional confinement of the domestic sphere which they believed the WCTU would offer.
Cult of Domesticity Mindset
Many women in this time saw their role as being confined only to the domestic sphere, however they viewed this role as their God given responsibility. In their eyes, the role of women was, "to provide for the training of our race to the highest possible intelligence, virtue, and
happiness, by means of the self-sacrificing labors of the wise and good, and this with chief reference to a future immortal existence" (Beecher). This role was vital to the success of the nation because the mother or women in the household trained and educated the children to grow up and become responsible members of society, aware of the obligations required of them. The WCTU gave these women the chance to exercise their voices in order to protect themselves against the negative effects of alcohol, an issue that often made it difficult for them to properly perform their job because of the lack of support, abuse, and abandonment from their husbands as a result of intemperance.
“During the upward progress of the age, and the advance of a more enlightened Christianity, more elevated views of the true mission of woman and the dignity and importance of her distinctive duties, and of the true happiness which will be the reward of a right appreciation of this mission, and a proper performance of these duties [has been gained]…” (Beecher) Most of these women still remained opposed to being involved in politics, however temperance gave them opportunity to exercise their growing voices, “Women could do temperance work who could not or would not do other political work” (Epstein).
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Political Rights mindset
With women’s slowly changing role, a bettering in how women were regarded by some was coming about with their newfound involvement and voice in society. As women began to recognize their capabilities and potential for leadership, some would start demanding for their voices to be heard and opinions to be considered; the first fight for this would come with the push for women’s suffrage.
"Temperance reform could offer women a way out from their enslavement within a narrow and confining domestic existence" (Gifford & Slagell). "Only with full suffrage could women gain support for their cause from politicians and ensure the enforcement of prohibitory legislation once it was passed. [The] argument once again was based on establishing women's need for the ballot" (Gifford & Slagell). |
"Armed with the virtues of morality and caregiving that they had honed over the centuries, WCTU women would move into the world under the banner of 'Home Protection'...temperance and 'the cause of woman,' would remain inextricably linked" (Gifford & Slagell).
"The home protection ballot [called] on women to take the lead both in using educational and temperance ballots where they were available and in working for universal women's suffrage" (Gifford & Slagell). |
note: move fingers up and down on trackpad to zoom in or out in order to see all five events - student generated timeline using TimeGlider -
Home protection engendered ideas to incorporate the WCTU and women into politics in order to successfully pass legislation and other legal acts to achieve temperance. However, as the WCTU began to push for a greater involvement in politics, the idea of the home protection ballot would transform into new desires for women's suffrage instead of only political involvement for the purpose of temperance reform.