Category: Temperance

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is the oldest voluntary, non-sectarian women’s organization in continuous existence in the world. It was also among the first organizations to keep a professional lobbyist in Washington, D.C. to promote its agenda. The organization is the “Woman’s” rather than “Women’s” Christian Temperance Union. That’s because it is the individual […]

Alcohol and the Bible is an important subject. As with many religious matters, it is controversial. I. Traditional Christian Theology. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus drank wine (Matthew 15:11; Luke 7:33-35). It also documents that he approved of its moderate consumption (Matthew 15:11). On the other hand, Jesus was critical of drunkenness (Luke […]

I. Background. The Prohibition Party of the United States began in 1869. Before the Civil War (1861-1865) temperance groups had promoted voluntary abstinence from alcoholic beverages. The  War diverted national attention to more pressing matters. Subsequently, the temperance movement wayned. Moral suasion had proved to be both difficult and frustrating. So after the War, temperance […]

There are a number of events in temperance and prohibition history around the world. This is a calender of days for January through December. Typically, one event is listed for each day of the year. There are many thousands of events. Therefore, this is only a partial list from the many events in temperance history. A […]

Many people have heard of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). But virtually no one has heard of the Non-partisan Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (NWCTU). The WCTU was formed in 1874. Within five years it had established over 1,000 local units or “unions.” It continued to grow during National Prohibition (1920-1933). Its peak membership was […]

Dry counties are those that forbid the sale of alcoholic beverages in some form. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States. And about 18,000,000 people live in the roughly 10% of the area of the US that is dry. The U.S. repealed National Prohibition in 1933. However, a large proportion of the population continued to […]

Allied Forces The Allied Forces for Prohibi ­tion was an organization of 29 temperance groups. The groups united in 1928.(1) They did so in the face of increasing calls for the modification or repeal of National Prohibition. By 1932, the Allied Forces claimed to have 1,000,000 adherents.”(2) Rev. Daniel A. Poling headed it. When the […]

Moderation vs. Temperance Many early temperance societies were actually alcohol moderation organizations. That’s because ‘temperance’ means moderation. And it meant moderation to them. Alcoholic Drink Equivalence The temperance movement began by encouraging drinkers to consume in moderation. It didn’t try to enforce abstinence from all alcohol. Instead, it only called for people to abstain from […]

Alcohol history dates are listed for events related to drinking in the U.S. The date of your birthday or anniversary isn’t listed? No problem. Resources for identifying other alcohol history dates are at the end of the list. Enjoy! Alcohol History Dates January in Alcohol History Jan. 1, 1801. The U.S. Federal duty on distilled […]

Temperance organizations around the world are listed by date of founding. All are non-governmental (NGOs). However, branches of international organizations are not listed. There are three sections of information.   I. Temperance Organizations around the World.  II. Index of Temperance Organizations by Location. III. Resources for More Information Want more information about specific temperance organizations […]