In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century hard drinking had become a social problem in the British Isles, especially in parts of Scotland and Ireland. Fears grew amongst some sections of the public over the ‘demon drink’ and its effect on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, society, and the economy. Especially in light of industrialisation and the need for sober operators of heavy machinery, the bourgeoise desire for order, and the widespread population growth in cities.
The early temperance movement was inspired by the actions of Irish Presbyterian Church minister John Edgar, who poured his stock of whiskey out of his window in 1829.[1] The anti-spirits movement which started in Scotland and Ulster in the 1820s spread to the textile towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire in the 1830s before broadening out into a wider temperance movement calling for abstinence from the consumption of all alcoholic beverages. Advocates of temperance often possessed a reforming zeal which would manifest at emotional mass gatherings. Attendees would sign a pledge that they denounced alcoholic drink.
Temperance movements became prominent in several countries, especially English-speaking, Scandinavian, and majority-Protestant ones, most notably the United States of America where it led to Prohibition from 1920-33.
W. F. Millar, Temperance Hall, Kirkby Stephen (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Temperance societies began to be formed in the 1830s to campaign against alcohol. Specific groups were created over periods of time dedicated to the different aspects of drinking and aimed mostly at the working class. Emphasis was often put on education of the dangers of alcohol. Temperance clubs, institutes and even hotels were founded. The British Association for the Promotion of Temperance was established by 1835. One important group was the Band of Hope, founded in Leeds in 1847 and operating across Britain, who educated children about the dangers of drinking and tried to persuade them not to start drinking alcohol.[2] In 1864, a Methodist group, the Salvation Army was founded in London with a heavy emphasis on abstinence from alcohol and ministering to the working class.
Richard Hoare, Mr Fitzpatrick's in Rawtenstall (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Temperance became especially strong in nonconformist groups such as the Methodists, and nonconformist chapels often took the lead, as seen in Wales during the 1850s.[3] Many working-class leaders of the time, who were often Methodists, were prominent teetotallers. Quakers too took active roles in the temperance movement such as John Cadbury who viewed drinking chocolate as an alternative to alcoholic beverages and prohibited the sale of alcohol in Bournville, the model village he founded.[4] The Church of England also had a Temperance Society with volunteers within the court system and in 1873 Cardinal Manning founded the League of the Cross, a Catholic abstinence confraternity.[5]
The temperance movement in Britain met with local successes but failed to impose national prohibition. The crusade against alcoholic drink continued well into the twentieth century until it disappeared as a significant force following the Second World War. Today, the legacy of the temperance movement can still be seen in some communities. Those who still subscribe to temperance and teetotalism, having been influenced by the movement in their youth, are present in normal society. Many of the movement organisations still exist to this day such as Hope UK, formerly the Band of Hope. Temperance has economic legacies with products such as Vimto originally invented in 1908 as a healthy alternative to alcohol and sold in temperance bars. One such institution still in operation is Fitzpatrick’s in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.
Researchers carrying out all sorts of work may find references to the temperance movement or to individuals who subscribed to these ideas. Specific records created by temperance groups and organisations can be found in archives.
References and Resources:
Information for this post was taken from the excellent David Hey (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Local and Family History (1996), 435-6.
B. Harrison, Drink and the Victorians (1971)
W. R. Lambert, Drink and Sobriety in Victorian Wales, c.1820-1895 (1983)
B. Harrison and B. Trinder, ‘Drink and Sobriety: an early Victorian country town: Banbury, 1830-60’, English Historical Review, supplement 4 (1969)
J. S. Blocker, American Temperance Movements : Cycles of Reform: Social Movements Past and Present (1988)
S. Couling, History of the Temperance Movement in Great Britain and Ireland (1862)
B. Vallee, ‘The Conflicted History of Alcohol in Western Civilization’, Scientific American (June 2015)
[1] Peter Fryer, Mrs Grundy: Studies in English Prudery (1965) 141-44.
[2] David Hey (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Local and Family History (1996), 435-6.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
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My introduction to temperance movements in the isles came when I passed by the statue of Father Murphy in Cork as I was walking across the street from one pub to another about 40 years ago. It didn’t take but I’ve always been mildly interested in their endeavors.