Notes on Women's Suffrage and Alcohol Prohibition in the Progressive Era
Women and Political Power (Suffrage)
Initial Societal Beliefs and Obstacles:
Women were widely considered untrustworthy with power due to hormonal cycles, leading to instability (e.g., "one week every month, and then we're at war"). This belief needed to be actively countered among both men and women.
The prevailing view was that women were "too stupid to vote much less rule." This was a deeply entrenched belief, still observable in many societies globally where women are not trusted and are often hidden.
The movement for women's suffrage was an "uphill battle."
The Progressive Era and Changing Opinions:
This period was characterized by a willingness to consider "crazy ideas" and experiment with new approaches to societal improvement. It was a ripe time for challenging established norms.
The perception began to shift, making it seem "not crazy" to consider giving women political power, with the sentiment that "maybe we can do this" and that it "could be good."
Methods and Figures of the Suffrage Movement:
Public Protests: These were common and crucial to the movement's success, often involving "mostly women" demonstrating on the streets.
Susan B. Anthony: A leading suffragette, widely recognized for her uncompromising stance and determination. She famously had a coin, the "Susan B. Anthony Dollar," struck in her image, indicating her prominence.
Other (unnamed) leaders were noted as being potentially "much better" at broader organization and diplomacy, suggesting internal dynamics within the movement.
Success and Constitutional Change:
Through successful protests and advocacy, public opinion began to change, leading to legislative action.
The 19^{th} Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution.
This amendment, often called the "women's suffrage amendment," granted women the right to vote, marking a significant "success" for progressives and building progress by involving women in politics.
Alcohol Prohibition
America's Relationship with Alcohol:
Americans historically had a "love-hate relationship" with alcohol, though often leaning more towards "love."
Progressive Era Context for Prohibition:
The Progressive Era was marked by intense optimism and a belief that society could be fundamentally improved through deliberate action. The idea was that "we can make America better through progress."
Within this optimistic framework, eliminating alcohol was seen as a way to solve various societal problems, such as alcoholism and its associated negative impacts (e.g., people who "can't remember alcohol").
This era was open to "new stuff" and even "crazy ideas," which made the concept of nationwide prohibition plausible, even if it might seem "ridiculous" to some, particularly international observers.
Advocacy Groups and Movements:
Regulation vs. Outlaw: Initially, there was a call among progressives to "regulate alcohol," but this quickly escalated to pushing for an outright ban.
Anti-Saloon League: A prominent organization that protested against alcohol consumption and sales.
Temperance Party (Prohibition Party): A political party formed to push for prohibition through political means.
Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): A highly influential group, "mostly women," with members predominantly from religious denominations like Baptist, Methodist, Mormon, and Seventh-day Adventist. These women were instrumental in convincing America that society would be better off without alcohol.
Success and Constitutional Amendment:
The efforts of these groups led to widespread support for prohibition.
The 18^{th} Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution.
This amendment gave "teeth" to the prohibition movement, stating that alcohol could not be manufactured, sold, or transported.
With the 18^{th} Amendment in place, various organizations rallied to enforce its provisions, resulting in both fervent activism and significant backlash from sectors of society that relied on alcohol for economic survival.