Annotated Bibliography

On the website “Women’s Work in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,” it has a

review from someone who attended a Women’s Christian Temperance Union meeting. The

review basically talks about how honored they were to attend. The author says that the WCTU’s

work is something that should be heard by everyone. The author talks about how the Women’s

Christian Temperance Union did not have much to do, other than protest and educate. The writer

also states that the Women’s Christian Temperance Union had reasons to “thank God and take

courage.” The WCTU completely supported moral rights, and wanted to protect them. They

believed that alcohol was against it, so they tried to stop people from consuming alcohol. The

author also talks about how the women of the WCTU believed that without alcohol there would

be good men and good women. I would use this review in my project by talking about a first had

experience of someone who went to a WCTU meeting.

On website, “Omaha daily bee., October 24, 1909, NEWS SECTION, Page 4, Image 4,”

it has a newspaper talking about the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The newspaper

talks about when the WCTU will meet, and what they will be doing. On the Sunday of the week

when the paper of made, the WCTU held a meeting. Due to this meeting, the churches were

closed in the evening. At that Sunday meeting, the WCTU gave out dates as to when their

meetings are, and what you have to do; for example, on the following noon of that Monday, they

had to pray together. The newspaper also informed people that the WCTU was going to hold a

light lunch on that Sunday evening at six in the cafeteria. The newspaper mainly informed

people on dates pertaining to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and what they needed to

do on each date. I can use this in my project by talking about how they got the word around for

their organization.

In a letter concerning the “National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection,”

it talks about how much of a difference the Women’s Christian Temperance Union has done. To

paraphrase, it says that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was huge on stopping alcohol.

The woman felt responsible to protect their families from the evils that lie with alcohol. They

believed that alcohol should be illegal, and anyone associated with drinking needed to stop.

They also that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union is “the most powerful, the most

beneficent, and the most successful organization ever formed by women.” One of the missions

for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was to make their families safe; as a result, they

believed that by taking away alcohol, it would make them safer. I can use this in my project by

talking about what the WCTU believed what was right.

In the newspaper article “Japanese Woman, at75, Fighting Customs That Sacrifices Girls

to Lust,” it talks about a seventy-five year old Japanese lady who fought for woman’s rights.

Her name was Madame Kaji Yajima, and she was president of the Japanese WCTU. Women

were not able to find a career by themselves outside of their home, so Kaji fought for that right.

Kaji was not afraid to go against her nation’s customs if it meant providing justice for women. I

can use this in my project to prove that the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was not only

completely focused on eliminating alcohol, but also fought for women’s rights.

In the newspaper article, “Earnest Women Who Will Be in Omaha This Week,” it talks

about some of the different leaders of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and gives a

little information of them. Frances Ensign was the secretary of the Ohio state WCTU. After

serving in that office for several years, she became secretary, then president, of the Ohio Union.

Another woman mentioned was Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens from Portland, Maine. She was the

nation president. Ever since Maine has had a WCTU, she has been its president. She was very

important in maintaining the prohibition law in the state. Those were just two of the many

women who had accomplished important parts in their states. I can use this in my project by

talking about some of the women who were apart of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

On the website, “Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,” it explains who the Woman’s

Christian Temperance Union is, and what their purpose is. They were originally called the

“Woman’s Crusade.” The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union is a group of woman standing

up for what they believed in. Their president was Mrs. Annie Turner Wittenmyer. They

protested against alcohol because they believed it to be dangerous. The Woman’s Christian

Temperance Union would often gather in front of bars, get on their knees, and prayed. They

would pray that the sale of alcohol would be stopped. The Woman’s Christian Temperance

Union was able to get rid of liquor in many communities by standing together. I can use this

research in my project by talking about who their president was, and what they did to stop the

sale of alcohol.

On the website, “Women’s Christian Temperance Union,” it talks about what the WCTU

did, and what lead up to why their organization came to be. When the Civil War ended, lots of

immigrants came to America; therefore, the alcohol industries increased. More and more people,

mainly men, started binge drinking. The result of this was violence. The Women’s Christian

Temperance Union protested against alcohol. They started anti-alcohol education programs in

almost every school. Their main goal was to make alcohol completely illegal. I can use this in

my research project by including what the WCTU’s main goal was, and why happened to start

their organization.

On the website, “Temperance Movement in Tennessee,” it talks about how The Women’s

Christian Temperance Union became powerful voices for social change. The Women’s

Christian Temperance Union was created in 1874. It was mainly created because women were

concerned about the negative outcomes of alcohol. These women would go to churches, pray,

and then march to saloons to ask the owners to stop the distribution of alcohol. They had a

compassionate heart; however, not everyone supported them. They would frequently get yelled

at, and sometimes people would throw rotten eggs at them. Regardless of what they went

through, the WCTU was a major part in a statewide ban on alcohol in 1909 in Tennessee. I can

use this in my research by talking about what the WCTU went through in order to succeed.

On the website, “Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU),” it talks who the

WCTU is, what they did, and why they did what they did. The Woman’s Christian Temperance

Union was created because women were worried about the destructiveness that came with

alcohol. To them, alcohol was causing problems with their society and families, so their goal

was to stop the consumption of alcohol. The women would gather together, pray at church, and

then head over to the saloons to ask the owners to stop selling alcohol. To them temperance was

defined as “moderation in all things healthful; total abstinence from all things harmful." The

WCTU believed that alcohol was harmful, and was it should absolutely not be accepted. They

were very moral, and thought that alcohol was harmful; therefore, rejecting the “mainstream

Christian belief that the consumption of alcohol in moderation is not sinful.” Some of the WCTU

members were teachers that taught that alcohol was bad. Other members “Americanized” new

immigrants. It basically meant that they helped persuade them to abstain from alcohol. The

WCTU did a lot of praying at bars to try and get them to stop the distribution of alcohol. I can

use this information in my project by talking about what some of the roles were for the members

of the WCTU.

On the website, “Teaching with Documents: The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition

Documents,” it talks about why the Women’s Christian Temperance Union came to be, and what

they pledged to do. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was formed because women

looked at alcohol as the main source of destruction, and they wanted to stop it. Alcohol, to the

women in the WCTU, was the destroyer of families, marriage, and society. Do to alcohol, men

would spend all of their money on purchasing it; thus, not having money to support their family.

The wives and children would have no income of money for survival, due to the husband/ father

spending it on alcohol. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union pledged to ban alcohol, so

that there would be less destruction. I can use this in my project because I can talk about what

the WCTU pledged to do.

The abolition of liquor traffic, being one aim for the Women’s Christian Temperance

Union not the only highly thought about aim. The activities varied for this group which made

the W.C.T.U. one of the greatest diverse educational movements. For these many activities there

were six general branch departments. Some of these departments consisted of health, education

of temperance in public schools, presentation of temperance before assemblies, educational laws,

etc. In the year of 1909 the Omaha Daily Bee sought to find over 300,000 women were in

support and associated with the union.

On October 17, 1908 The Omaha Sunday Bee, on page 1 of their volume 39 number 18

newspaper article, found which earnest women would be going to the national convention for the

Women’s Christian Temperance Union. It had been said in this article that the National

Women’s Christian Temperance Union members are “strong-minded” and have become one of

the largest organizations. By having women all around the nation, each woman has been fitted

for their national work and has played a huge role in their organization. Each state in the nation

had also had their own president for the union, but in 1908 the overall president of the

organization was Mrs. Lillian M.N. Stevens. Later, Frances Beverldge Heald was chosen to take

over when the president of the union resigned. Nebraska had then sent an invitation to hold a

convention and during this time women from the states would bring fresh ideas for states to

adopt prohibition.

Lucy Thurman, national organizer among colored people in the Women’s Christian

Temperance Union, was a public speaker at a well-attended meeting. Thurman, stated by the

Omaha Daily Bee newspaper on page four, told how she addressed a brief history of the

temperance movement in the United States. Afterwards, there was a convention in London

which shared how Oklahoma just came into the union with prohibition. Also, Thurman

addressed a strong appeal for an organization with the colored people, which she had

encouraging comments made from. Many people also took the advantage of meeting Mrs.

Thurman personally if they were present for the speech.

During the time of 1905, The Coconino Sun on page 4 tells how the Women’s Christian

Temperance Union and the Women’s Army and Navy League have their differences. The

W.C.T.U believes how advocating temperance will help society and less the risk of drunken

men, beatings, fights, etc. Also, the W.C.T.U believes how having an army canteen is not a good

choice. On the other hand, W.A.N.L insists how the canteen interest sobriety, good morals,

decency and health. While having barracks in the camp it will help prevent drunken wandering

outside and the men drinking themselves into the gutter. Additionally, this argument was to

effect the Government of how there should be no sense of saloon keeping, or handouts of any

kind of liquor or etc.

January 10, 1912, president of the Japanese Women’s Christian Temperance Union,

Madame Kaji Yajima started to make history in Tokyo, Japan. The day book provided by the

University of Illinois was able to share how Yajima wanted to make life and conditions better for

her sex. At 75 years of age, two beliefs of the Japanese culture is middle aged women should lay

down a burden of their life for their sons and daughters. Also, no women are allowed an outside

career. The day book also provided information of how going against these beliefs women

would be introduced to slavery such as the old Yoshiwarn district in Tokyo, which was destroyed

by a fire. In Japan the Women’s Christian Temperance Union is otherwise known as the

Kyosukwai. This name given for the union by the Japanese means “The Society Which Bends in

the Right Direction.” Through the long experience Yajima was able to construct a rescue home

in Tokyo, a woman’s home and orphanage, and a home for sailors.

The National Park Service indicates major historical influences and events while also

how organizations carry forward legacies. During 1874 the Women’s Christian Temperance

Union was founded while in 1979 Frances Willard became the president of this union. In 1920

national prohibition became effective which made the selling or drinking of any kind of liquor or

etc. against the law. Only for thirteen years to go by until in 1933 prohibition was repealed.

Also, by giving women a chance in careers Amelia Bloomer, in 1849, began the first newspaper

that was edited by a woman called, “The Lily.”

The National Women’s History Museum share in the nineteenth-century temperance was

a popular issue, which many reformers sought to limit. In the month of December of 1873 many

states set a revolt against saloon owners. This revolt led to thousands of saloons shutting down

temporary. The year of 1874 Frances Willard became the leader of the Women’s Christian

Temperance Union and advocated many other topics such as woman suffrage. W.C.T.U.

impacted all the states in the United States and by 1901 each state had a program to educate

children in schools about the dangers of alcohol. The temperance movement was paving its way

to the 18th amendment which prohibited the sale of alcohol nationwide.

The site of Alcohol Problems and Solutions explains how the WCTU was organized

because of women being concerned about the destructive power of alcohol. During 1873 many

women met at churches and then rioted towards saloons and asked saloon owners to close their

establishments. The WCTU is the oldest voluntary women’s organization in existence in the

world. This organization was named WCTU due to individual women taking the temperance

pledge. Immigration becoming a part of the United States, many women part of the WCTU

wanted to “Americanize” new immigrants and persuade them to not drink alcoholic beverages.

Another organization which supported the WCTU was the KKK and its strict enforcement which

always held leadership positions.

Temperance is defined as moderation in all things healthful; total abstinence from all

things harmful. The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union slogan “For God and Home and

Native Land” expressed the priorities of the WCTU. Education was a main priority of this union

and later made pledges to have abstinence towards alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The WCTU has

chosen a white ribbon to resemble their organization because it symbolizes purity. As an

organization the WCTU also had “watchwords” which they have kept till this day. The three

“watchwords” are Agitate, Educate, and Legislate.

In the early nineteenth century drinking was patriotic, while promoting health and

showed hospitality and friendship. The Women City Builders also told about the Temperance

Union migrating while educating women in public speaking and also fund training schools for

women and youth. Frances Victor, a writer, also told about a group of twenty women picketing

saloons, praying, and singing in spite of insults and arrests that were made. June of 1883 sixteen

adopted programs to prevent and organize local unions into six groups were made. Memberships

in each group had approximately been two thousand members. After Willard’s death many

members left and joined other organizations such as women’s suffrage, labor laws, and pure

food.

The digital image titled “Woman’s Christian Crusade against Intemperance” reveals how

the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union would stand outside of establishments. While

standing or sitting outside of establishments these women would politely ask establishment

owners to close down their businesses and prohibit the usage of alcohol. Also, women would

pray in front of these establishments. Even through rough times when men would not want

women protesting in front of their businesses, women would stand their ground and do as they

pleased to get their point across.

The image from addiction411.com expresses the many different ways the consumption of

alcohol can affect a person and their body. The consumption of alcoholic beverages can range

from changing a person’s personality all the way to being diagnosed with some type of cancer.

Alcohol can damage the liver by creating scar tissue which later creates a tissue and destroys

living cells. The brain is affected by getting manipulated by the alcohol and also does not allow

essential nutrients to get around the body. Mental health problems can also lead to alcoholism

and can worsen the health issue.

Consuming major amounts of alcoholic beverages can cause mental and physical

challenges. While becoming intoxicated consequences such as drinking and driving can lead to

DUI’s, car accidents, death of yourself, and unintentional homicide. Alcoholic beverages can

cause physical challenges; such as, blurry eye vision and not being capable of walking or

standing up straight.

In the first image of the four men standing in front of the bar shows a point in history

whenever drinking was a social event. Before prohibition men would normally drink at social

events, but later would get intoxicated. These men getting intoxicated created an unsafe

environment for anyone around them and women started to get upset and angry with the way

their lifestyle was.

The second image, on the photo tab, of the man raising his hand at a woman,

demonstrates how when men consumed large amounts of alcohol it then made them intoxicated.

While the men were intoxicated, most men would become violent. In the men’s violent stage,

men would sometimes harm their wife and children. To women, alcohol was the origin to the

problem, so they thought by eliminating alcohol, then men would be more peaceful. This

thought for women led to the idea of prohibition.

Wittenmyer was the first national president of the Woman’s Christian Temperance

Union. Wittenmyer was president from 1874-1879. During her time as president, Wittenmyer

held discussions among alcohol and decided to hold national conventions. While at the nation

convention in 1874, Frances E. Willard was elected as secretary for Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer.

“For God and Home and Native Land,” is the Woman’s Christian Temperance primary

objective slogan. This slogan states how there should be a protection of the home, while also

expressing the WCTU priorities. Some of the priorities consisted of: education and getting the

pledges for total abstinence from alcohol. The pledge was then symbolized by a white ribbon

symbolizing purity As a priority for the WCTU their three “watchwords” were agitate, educate,

legislate. These three words show how they observed what situations were going on, educated

others on these situations, and later tried to create laws or movements.

Frances E. Willard started in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union as a secretary for

Wittenmyer, the first national president of the WCTU. After Wittenmyer’s death, Willard

became the second national WCTU president from 1879-1898. Willard’s time as president was

served by promoting rights, suffrage, prohibition, etc. Willard was a teacher, excellent speaker,

and an expert in forming public opinion. Willard was known as a “general with an army of

250,000.

Willard’s quote, “The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could

be turned into momentum,” shows how Willard pushed for her hopes and dreams to become a

reality. Also, this quote expresses how she was willing to put in tremendous amounts of work to

receive what she wanted to accomplish. Additionally, Willard knew she wanted to make a

positive impact on society.

Advertisements, such as “Which Gets Your Vote,” were made to persuade people to vote

for prohibition. Women are looked at as mothers and therefore tend to be lenient. Women made

these posters, which got people to feel emotional, then later got the people to vote for

prohibition.

Additional advertisements, such as “Lips That Touch Liquor Shall Not Touch Ours,”

were made by women to directly impact men. This advertisement told men that if they wanted to

stay in a relationship or marriage, then they had to stop drinking alcohol.

Will Rogers once said, “Prohibition is better than no liquor at all.” Rogers demonstrates

how he feels having prohibition would put everyone in a positive place in their life. Also,

everyone will have a mindset of seeing how their futures can change without prohibition. The

thought of a better life would push everyone to want to achieve new goals.