The Temperance Movement was a major reform effort in the mid-18th century, and while the effort to end both excessive alcohol consumption and any alcohol use was theoretically not a religious movement, Protestant Christians frequently linked drunkenness, consumption of alcohol, and sin. Many Christian leaders linked the conversion called for in the Second Great Awakening with abandoning drinking alcohol.
There are three documents linked below for this essay. First, the well-know revivalist Charles Finney, who was also a leading advocate of temperance, often spoke of drinking alcohol as something Christians should not be doing; this document is part of lecture on temperance he gave in Great Britain as part of an evangelistic tour in that country. His words reflect his thinking about temperance and alcohol in the United States, even though he is not speaking there. Second, The Drunkard’s Progress is a famous cartoon depicting what temperance advocates saw as the inevitable outcome of allowing alcohol consumption; the text of the cartoon is also linked below. Third, many temperance supporters formed societies and meetings at various levels to advocate for legislation to end the legality of alcohol; this document is a report of a New York State meeting in 1853.
After reading / examining these sources, you need to compose an essay answering the following question: How do temperance supporters justify their goals? A good essay will identify those key elements that explain the rationale of the temperance movement, and both the reasons advocates sought this particular reform goal and what advocates thought would motivate individuals to give up alcohol. In the conclusion, briefly explain if such an effort would have a chance of succeeding today and why/why not.
What to use: Only these documents; you can’t use any other sources.
What to submit: A two-page essay formatted as required in the General Formatting Requirements and following the General Writing Requirements. Although short, it should, as much as possible, follow the essay How to Write an Analytical Paper.
How it will be graded: The Paper/Exam Grading Rubric.
How many points for the assignment: 100 points
When is it due: See the Critical Dates in the Syllabus, or check the modules.
The Primary Sources:
Document #1: Finney Lecture on Temperance Download Finney Lecture on Temperance
Document #2: The Drunkard’s Progress – Text of the Drunkard’s Progress Download Text of the Drunkard’s Progress
Document #3: NY State Temperance Meeting Report Download NY State Temperance Meeting Report- Only read the second dispatch
“State Temperance Alliance.” New York Daily Times (1851-1857), Jan 21, 1853. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/state-temperance-alliance/docview/95819467/se-2?accountid=45765.
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