An Advance In Civilization

1. An Advance In Civilization As early as 1810 New England clergymen pushed for the end of alcohol consumption. 1826 the American Temperance Society is formed ATS uses both church and medical reasons to push an antiliquor society.

2. Further Abstinence • Towns created their own societies to push at first moderation and soon there after complete abstinence from alcohol • By the year 1840 consumption dropped by 2/3 in the entire nation.

3. Geography’s Role • New England and various north eastern states such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. • ¾ of nation’s recorded temperance pledges. • In the south and western states the push for temperance was much less substantial thus keeping most tendencies intact. • As time elapsed more families gave way under the push for abstinence.

4. Results • Many pubs and taverns became “Temperance Hotels”. Tea, coffee and water, were all that were sold. • Some bars even became headquarters for abstinence campaigning. • What once was the majority, was now the minority.

5. Change In the Church Atmosphere • In 1823 a newly-installed minister in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts ordered for dogs to be taken out of the congregation. This shocked the congregation as the dogs had been allowed to roam freely throughout the service. • Thousands of 19th century churches saw turkeys, geese, and dogs were banned from warship. • The condition of churches came under fire and many were refurbished and remodeled to support comfortable year round congregation.

6. Violence • Although the U.S. did not become peaceful by any means, the states saw a dramatic drop in gang violence. • Other forms of violence such as: Bar brawls, street fights and wrestling also declined.