Social reform movements have played an important role in the ever-changing United States and its political climate. A key example of this in American history is the Temperance movement, a movement that had an immense impact on America's legislature and social climate.
To understand the Temperance movement, it is important to understand what a social reform movement is. A social reform movement is an effort from a group of people that aims to change how society views a topic or how a topic is handled by the law. Besides the Temperance movement, a good example of this is the Common School Movement. This was a movement that began in the late 1800's and aimed to give every child in America access to an education. This was at a time where child labor was common, so many children spent their days working rather than learning. This movement was quite successful, with it resulting in many states making it law that a child must go to school and the creation of government-funded public schools that do not cost a fee to attend.
The Temperance movement is one of the most commonly known social reform movements in America. This was another movement that began in the late 1800's, this time focusing on America's alcohol consumption and wasprimarily led by women. Drinking was, and still is, a favored pastime for many Americans, though followers of the Temperance movement felt that this was damaging the social and political climate of America. Followers of this movement pushed for legislative action on alcohol, which they were successful in with the banning of the sale of alcohol in the early 1900's. While this law was later repealed, it resulted in the spread of underground clubs throughout America dedicated to the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol. These clubs resembled a modern bar, filled with tables for drinkers to sit at and high amounts of alcohol. As was stated before, the ban on the sale of alcohol was eventually repealed and Americans could legally buy and sell alcohol.
While the Temperance movement had an incredible impact on its time, it has not greatly impacted modern consumption of alcohol in America. Many still spend their time drinking with friends or going to bars to consume alcohol. Overall, the Temperance movement had a large impact on the early 1900's, but its effects have not stood the test of time. Many other social reform movements have existed throughout America's history, and without such movements, America likely would not be the country it is today.
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This response shows a comprehensive understanding of the content. An insightful connection was made between social reform movements and American history (played an important role in …its political climate; had an immense impact on America's legislature and social climate). Integrates knowledge of reform movements with examples from the Common School Movement. Goals of the temperance movement stated (pushed for legislative action; banning of the sale of alcohol).
