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History That Doesn't Suck

157: Temperance, Prohibition, and the Path to the 18th Amendment

Jun 3, 2024
Dive into the fervent world of temperance and Prohibition! Discover how groups like the American Temperance Society and the Women's Christian Temperance Union rallied against alcohol consumption, driven by social reform and domestic violence concerns. Meet Carrie Nation, armed with bricks, as she famously smashed saloons. Explore the brewing industry's attempts to defend its place in American culture and the strategic rise of the Anti-Saloon League, leading to the transformative 18th Amendment. This tale intertwines morality, activism, and the complexities of a nation grappling with its vices.
01:02:31

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The temperance movement evolved in early America as various groups, notably women, sought to mitigate the negative impact of rampant alcohol consumption on families and society.
  • Carrie Nation's aggressive activism through 'hatchetations' symbolized the fervent public opposition to saloons, highlighting the intersection of moral conviction and direct action in the fight for prohibition.

Deep dives

Carrie Nation's Vigilante Activism

Carrie Nation gained notoriety for her aggressive campaign against saloons, believing it was divinely ordained for her to act against alcohol consumption. On June 7, 1900, she dramatically entered a saloon in Kiowa, Kansas, armed with bricks, declaring her intent to smash the illegal establishments violating local prohibition laws. Her actions included throwing bricks at mirrors and bottles, showcasing her determination to eliminate places she viewed as centers of sin, regardless of public opinion. Nation's fervor led to her numerous arrests and a personal transformation from activism with bricks to wielding a hatchet, coining her tactics as 'hatchetations.'

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