Essential Question
To what extent did the changes that the country underwent at the turn of the century make America a better society?
With the Temperance Movement of the 1870s to 1920s, came the colossal increase in women’s presence in the public sphere. The movement brought women together behind a common cause, prohibition, that they all felt strongly about, leading them to further voice their mind in society.
The Temperance Movement also benefited society by inspiring scientists to begin gathering evidence of the effects of alcohol on the nervous system and general physical conditions.
However, despite these beneficiary changes, the Temperance Movement ultimately resulted
in Prohibition to the detriment of society. Prohibition began in 1919, with the ratification of the 18th Amendment outlawing the use and distribution of alcohol. With this amendment came an increase in crime, gangs, and dangerous untaxed and not distilled alcohol. The failure of
Prohibition led to its repeal by the 21st Amendment in 1933, ending the movement’s primary cause for the better.
The Temperance Movement also benefited society by inspiring scientists to begin gathering evidence of the effects of alcohol on the nervous system and general physical conditions.
However, despite these beneficiary changes, the Temperance Movement ultimately resulted
in Prohibition to the detriment of society. Prohibition began in 1919, with the ratification of the 18th Amendment outlawing the use and distribution of alcohol. With this amendment came an increase in crime, gangs, and dangerous untaxed and not distilled alcohol. The failure of
Prohibition led to its repeal by the 21st Amendment in 1933, ending the movement’s primary cause for the better.