Abolition And Temperance Movement Analysis

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The Abolition and Temperance movements allowed women to become activists in the public sphere. Becoming a major part of abolition and the temperance movement allowed women to test their efficacy as social reformers while realizing their own lack of political voice would hinder their efforts. They were excluded from certain gatherings about abolition and they spoke behind curtains at others. Women were expected to be a part of the “private sphere” as a wife and mother, but advocating for these issues was seen as Christian and accepted by society. Once women were able to become active in these areas, it was natural that they should work toward other causes close to their hearts such as temperance. Abolition was a cause important to early…show more content…
One major force behind this was the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, founded in November of 1874. They focused on working as a united force to impact several causes, including women’s suffrage, equal pay, sexual purity and mine safety. They believed that a national sin like widespread intoxication would negatively impact the nation as a whole, and so worked to improve the nation morally. At its core, this movement was built on racism and nativism, because races and classes dubbed “other” were considered notorious, dangerous drunks. However, it did still allow women to take up an active role in society in an area considered suitable. In her address to the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mary Elizabeth Lease describes the work the Women's Christian Temperance Union was doing in her home state of Kansas. She stressed the importance of organizing voters around specific issues and overturning the old political order. She spoke of rallies where women fed and spoke to crowds to convince them of the importance of voting to benefit women and children. The Women's Christian Temperance Union was combing their focus on the social gospel with political action. Learning how to be effective leaders and reformers would impact the eventual movement for Women’s suffrage in the United…show more content…
Frederick Douglas, a prominent abolitionist, attended this convention. From its very inception, the women’s movement had leaders from the abolitionist and temperance movements at the forefront. Frances Willard, the leader of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, also led her followers into a more radical social gospel which included not only suffrage but equal pay.Thirteen States where women had the vote before 1920 became dry by means of an election shortly after women were granted the vote. Suddenly, women were voting and greatly impacting the states in which they lived. Lawmakers in Washington D.C. considering a federal suffrage amendment would know the power of women
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