History of the United States I / Unit 13 USH1 1826 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Why Temperance Came First
Captions available
The idea
Reformers held that intemperance was the most troubling problem in the United States, eroding morality and Christianity and corrupting American democracy itself.
In practice
Consumption of gin, whiskey, rum and brandy in the first three decades reaching levels never equalled since.
Where people slip
That is the anchor's claim and it is a strong one. The sheer scale of drinking is what made the movement plausible.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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