Thursday, April 17th

• Pick up a slip of paper from the bin on Ms. Gammie’s desk. It does not matter which one you take.

• Read the proposed law. If you were a member of Congress, would you vote to pass this law? Why or why not?

Should a democratic government seek to protect individual rights or promote the common good?

Progressive Reforms

CategoriesEconomic, Moral, Political, Social

Specific ReformsMoral Reforms

(yesterday we did Economics)

Moral Reforms

Newsboys and Bootblacks Playing Craps – Lewis Hine (1912)

Moral ReformMany felt the morals of our society were at the root of

many problems at the turn of the century. Moral Reformers were trying to fix the values and ethical

problems of society. The specific problems were:

1. Drunkenness2. Gambling3. Prostitution

4. “Americanize” Immigrants5. Restrict Entry of New

ImmigrantsNight School in the Seventh Avenue Lodging House – Jacob Riis

How do Americans feel about alcohol in the 19th

century?

“The Ten Dialogues on the Effects of Ardent Spirits”

• A children’s book, published in 1831

“The Ten Dialogues on the Effects of Ardent Spirits”

• Take 5 minutes to read the passage silently to yourself. Underline what you believe is the central argument(s) of the passage.

• On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions:– How does the author use structure to

effectively reach his target audience? – How does the text structure help to

emphasize the key points made?

Question to Think About . . .

• Are we are a nation of drunkards?

• What does history tell us?

Let’s find out …

Moral Reform – Meeting Goals

Specific Problem..............................Goal for Reformers

4. “Americanize” Immigrants...................Mandatory Education5. Restrict Entry of New Immigrants.......Quotas/Exclusions

1. Drunkenness.......................................Eliminate Alcohol Use2. Gambling ............................................Eliminate Alcohol Use3. Prostitution .........................................Eliminate Alcohol Use

Elimination of Alcohol Use = Temperance Movement and Eventually Prohibition

• The Evils of AlcoholThe Evils of AlcoholThe Temperance MovementThe Temperance Movement

Moral Reform

Organizations promoting Temperance

• Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): tried to get people to pledge to abstain from drinking alcohol.

• Anti-Saloon League: wanted to pass legislation that would stop the sale and consumption of alcohol in the US. Largely responsible for passing the 18th amendment.

Cartoon Analysis• Please circle any symbols and key words or phrases on

the cartoon that you picked-up that you think are important to linking it to moral reforms. Be ready to discuss!

Cartoon Analysis

• Please circle any symbols and key words or phrases on the cartoon that you picked up that you think are important to linking it to moral reforms. Be ready to discuss!

Food for thought:Why would women be among

the strongest supporters of temperance?

Because…

• Adult men were most likely to abuse alcohol, so

• Women were often the targets of domestic abuse that happened when men had been drinking

• Women would want to protect their children• Women had no other forum to make their

needs known because they did not have the power to vote!

Carrie NationTemperance Reformer

• Extremely religious upbringing• Married a drinker who

died when their daughter was an infant• Divorced from second

marriage

Carrie’s Nickname – “Saloon Hatcher”

• Used a hatchet to meet goals of temperance movement:

1. destroy property

2. convert saloon keepers

On the other hand….• Prohibition could be considered

unconstitutionalTakes away the rights of businesses and individuals

• The majority of Americans were responsible drinkers

Why should everyone be punished?

• Perhaps restrictions did not have to be so severe

After all, Jesus turned water into wine!

BUZZFEED ACTIVITY

Your Task:• Assume the role of a Prohibitionist or an anti-

Prohibitionist. • Write a BuzzFeed list persuading your answer

to either support or oppose temperance.• Each item on your list should have:

– A statement– A symbol or picture– And a commentAlso be sure to promote either individual rights or

the common good!

Another New Amendment!

• 18th Amendment (1919)Prohibited manufacture, storage, transportation and sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

• This is Prohibition!

Anti-Saloon League paper, The American Issue, with headline, "U.S. Is Voted Dry", Anti-Saloon League Museum

…but does it work?!

•

» Bootleggers Organized Crime

Speakeasies

The Official End of Prohibition!

The 21st Amendment is

approved on December 5, 1933, overriding the 18th Amendment that began

Prohibition.

Closer, 4/17

• “The temperance movement, discouraging the use of alcoholic beverages, had been active and influential in the United States since at least the 1830s. Since the use of alcohol was often associated with such social ills as poverty and insanity, temperance often went hand in hand with other reform movements. From the 1850s onward, the temperance movement focused much of its efforts on Irish and German immigrants.”

– Library of Congress

Why do you think that the temperance movement focused on immigrants living in cities?