In Our Time The Temperance Movement
Feb 3, 2022
Annemarie McAllister, a Senior Research Fellow in History, James Kneale, an Associate Professor in Geography, and David Beckingham, an Associate Professor in Cultural Geography, dive into the transformative power of the 19th-century Temperance Movement in Britain. They explore its beginnings in Preston, the rise of abstinence pledges, and the movement's impact on the working class. The discussion also highlights women's pivotal roles, the complex relationship between temperance and health, and how the movement’s vibrant legacy continues to resonate today.
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Livesey's Rise
- Joseph Livesey, born into poverty and orphaned at seven, became a successful cheese merchant by his 20s.
- He was also a radical with a strong social conscience, teaching at Sunday school and founding a temperance society.
Preston: A Breeding Ground for Temperance
- Preston's rapid industrial growth and existing radical traditions made it a fertile ground for social movements.
- Its large working-class population and history of non-conformism contributed to the rise of temperance.
The 1830 Beer Act
- The 1830 Beer Act aimed to promote beer consumption over spirits and introduce free trade principles to licensing.
- It led to a rapid increase in beer houses, often unregulated and viewed as problematic by authorities.