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Temperance and Women in 19th-Century United States

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Alcohol and Drug Problems in Women

Part of the book series: Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems ((AADP,volume 5))

Abstract

The temperance movement during the 19th century developed and promulgated most of the basics of the modern definition of social problems resulting from alcohol consumption. Women participated in the movement, first under the control and leadership of men and later in their own organizations. Suffragists and women’s rights activists supported the temperance cause believing that the liquor traffic was a serious problem for women. In addition, temperance literature and speeches gave a prominent place to women: they were presented as victims of the liquor trade and as moral agents who could help develop the reform. This paper examines both aspects of the interface between women and temperance in the United States in the 19th century: women as participants and woman as symbol and issue.

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Levine, H.G. (1980). Temperance and Women in 19th-Century United States. In: Kalant, O.J. (eds) Alcohol and Drug Problems in Women. Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems, vol 5. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7737-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7737-9_2

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