Contrary to what is popularly believed in the 21st century,  the temperance movement (primarily those who completely opposed the sale of any alcohol) did not spring to life in the latter part of the 19th century. Women and men were actively involved in the temperance movement well before the Civil War.  The movement centered in the northeast, but temperance was an issue that individuals throughout the United States could agree on.  However,  and confusingly,  some temperance supporters advocated total abstinence while others urged moderation.  Still others were opposed to distilled spirits, but felt that wine and beer were acceptable in moderation.  However,  eventually the movement coalesced into an abstinence-only core belief.

The Good Creature of God, Transformed into Demon Rum
  In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, alcohol was fondly referred to by some as “God’s good creature”  because it provided a sanitary beverage that also helped warm the blood on cold winter’s nights and eased some of the pain from often back-breaking labor. Excessive drinking was frowned upon,  but moderate drinking was the norm. This situation began to change with the mechanization of labor and when prominent and wealthy businessmen realized they were losing money because of intoxicated workers. This group, combined with genuinely sincere advocates of temperance,  were a formidable force,  and finally in the early 20th century, they were unstoppable.

But prior to that time, the temperance advocates made major inroads.  For example,  alcohol was banned altogether in Maine in 1851. The ban was first lifted and then reinstated.  About 12 states followed Maine’s lead,  passing “Maine laws”  by themselves, and becoming “dry” states.

The Role of Taverns and Saloons in the Past
  One of the first establishments that the Pilgrims created was the tavern (which often included an inn where travelers stayed). The tavern was an establishment that served as a central place for people (mostly men)  to get together and learn the latest gossip and talk about politics and local problems and issues. It was a central and integral part of the community.  About the 18th century tavern,  Lender and Martin wrote:  “Taverns filled a variety of practical social needs. In many areas, they were the most convenient retail outlets for liquor-and often the only place where travelers could find food and lodging.  They provided all localities with a forum for social intercourse, which often included political, religious, or other gatherings. Before and during the Revolution, for example,  inns were favorite places for political discussions, and they served as rallying points for the militia and as recruiting stations for the Continental army. Innkeepers ideally reflected the high public status accorded their establishments, and in reality they often did.  Publicans were commonly among a town’s most prominent citizens and not infrequently were deacons.”

Later in the 19th century, however, many taverns devolved into places that were frequented by prostitutes,  and some individuals began to perceive the tavern (or “saloon”)  as the primary problem causing alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Those who worried about taverns and their influence used flyers and other means to depict taverns (often accurately)  as dens of iniquity.  Some temperance-minded individuals urged lawmakers to refuse to license new taverns and to revoke the licenses of existing taverns. Yet many men found taverns to be their primary social outlet,  and they perceived collegial drinking as a particularly male activity. (Women who drank were generally frowned upon.)

According to Lender and Martin,  successful brewers often also owned taverns in the late 19th century,  then called saloons,  and these businessmen sold as much alcohol as they possibly could.

Said Lender and Martin, “Many saloons lured customers with offers of a ‘free lunch’-usually well-salted to inspire drinking (the saloon ‘bouncer’ was generally on hand to discourage hearty appetites).

New patrons were also given free drinks. As one Brewer’s Association spokesman explained,  this tactic extended even to children: A few cents spent on free drinks for boys was a good investment; the money would be amply recovered as these youths became habitual drinkers!”

Beer also became very inexpensive,  and as a result,  it replaced whiskey and other distilled spirits as the favorite drink of those who imbibed, as well as those who abused or were dependent on alcohol. Brewers opened saloons, as did some immigrants from Ireland and other locations. The Irish and other Europeans were heavily “wet,” compared to the “dry” temperance supporters.

Saloons in large cities were also places where politics were discussed as well as where the local ballot boxes could be stuffed. As a result, saloons became the target of temperance authorities such as the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).

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Mark S. Gold, M.D. and Christine Adamec

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REFERENCES

1. Amethyst Initiative.  Statement.  Available online.  Accessed March 1, 2009.
2. Beirness,  Douglas J.,  and Erin E.  Beasley.  Alcohol and Drug Use Among Drivers: British Columbia Roadside Survey, 2008. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2009.
3. Berridge,  Virginia,  and Sarah Mars.  “History of Addictions.”  Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health 58 (2003): 747–750.
4. Blanco,  Carlos,  M.D.,  et al.  “Mental Health of College Students and Their Non-College-Attending Peers: Results from the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions.”  Archives of General Psychiatry 65, no. 12 (2008): 1,429–1,437.
5. Blocker,  Jack S.,  Jr.  “Did Prohibition Really Work: Alcohol Prohibition as a Public Health Innovation.” American Journal of Public Health 96,  no.  2 (2006): 233–243.

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