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Dictionary of Canadian Biography
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Temperance movement

The temperance movement was a social crusade that advocated personal abstinence from alcohol and often called for its legislative prohibition. In the middle to late 19th century, alcohol prohibition was a leading issue in Canadian life, with prominent organizations taking up the cause, among them the Sons of Temperance, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and the Dominion Alliance for the Total Suppression of the Liquor Traffic. The work of the Women’s Christian Temperance, for instance, consisted of persuading people to sign pledges of total abstinence and to have children take an oath against alcohol, tobacco, and bad language. Temperance literature was distributed widely and petitions were circulated. The members also attempted to restrict the use of alcoholic beverages in churches and for medicinal purposes. Lobbying to have liquor separated from other items in retail stores and sales to minors made an offence, the organization advocated a reduction of licensed outlets.

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Other Resources

Prohibition - Wikipedia
Temperance Movement - Social Welfare History Project
Temperance Movement in Canada - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 6 Dec. 2024
Temperance movement - Wikipedia
Temperance movement | social history | Britannica.com

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