History of the Woman's Temperance Crusade

Description

"History of the Woman's Temperance Crusade" by Annie Wittenmyer is a historical account written in the late 19th century. It chronicles the nationwide, prayer-led uprising of Christian women against the liquor traffic, tracing its Ohio origins, its street-level tactics in saloons, and its consolidation into the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and the Gospel Temperance movement. The opening of this historical account sets the scope and tone through dedication, preface, and an extensive table of contents, then features Frances E. Willard’s introduction portraying the Crusade as women stepping into public spaces to protect the home, unite across denominations, and transform spontaneous praying bands into durable organizations. Chapter I provides the backdrop of a prosperous nation compromised by a government-entangled liquor trade, widespread social harm, political shielding of saloons, and a largely silent church, until a sudden spiritual awakening propels women to confront dealers with prayer. Chapter II begins the narrative in Ohio—especially Hillsboro’—with Dr. Dio Lewis’s call, Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson’s leadership, the first saloon prayer meetings, and legal friction with a defiant druggist, followed by swift victories at Washington Court House (street vigils, tabernacles, public destruction of liquor) and, finally, Wilmington’s mobilization as women visit drugstores and saloons to secure pledges. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Subjects

• Woman's Temperance Crusade, 1873-1874
• HV