Temperance Reform Argument Analysis

Following the War of 1812, America began to experience a series of societal changes, resulting in a time period which is presently referred to as the “age of reform.” Of the various changes which occurred, the temperance reform was one of the most prominent, with it sparking debate as to what the motivation behind it was. The debate lies in whether the antebellum temperance reform was motivated largely due to religious moralism or not. Those on the yes side of the argument believe that the ban on alcohol was primarily a result of the religious movement occurring at the time, while those on the no side of the argument believe that it was primarily a result of a market economy’s favoring of capitalism. While John J. Rumbarger believes that the

In Rumbarger’s no argument, he states that those wanting to better the workplace sought out help from other sources such as churches. However, that argument seems to be proven false by Rorabaugh’s statement of ministers themselves questioning alcohol’s effects on society. As a whole, it makes more sense that churches would have been motivated to spread their views on alcohol being a devil’s work as it coincides with their own ideologies and by helping spread this message, they would ultimately also help spread some of their religious ideologies. Because of this, churches’ contribution towards the fight against alcohol would not have occurred had it been motivated primarily by efforts from the workplace, seeing as churches would have no direct association nor would benefit themselves with improving the industry and workplace. By emphasizing the fact that religion, rather than alcohol, could be used to take away stresses and that Satan had a connection to alcohol, churches would not only eliminate something which they understood to be a burden to society, but would also help spread their religious ideologies throughout the

Rorabaugh acknowledges that the growing industrialism would benefit from the ban on alcohol, but assures that religion had more to gain. According to Madaras and Sorelle, “In the last quarter of the eighteenth century the influence of religion on American life had declined […]” (183). After the war of 1812 however, the public sought ways for relief from the chaos and stresses that filled their everyday lives. Preachers would have fittingly taken this time as an opportunity to cleanse the nation from things they understood to be sinful such as alcohol. Thus, their belief of having to lead a great revival is what prompted such strong efforts to spread their views across the