Temperance Movement

A Temperance Movement is a social or political movement to drastically reduce the consumption of alcohol or even to ban it entirely. It is largely associated with Protestant religious movements.

Most Temperance Movements are inspired by religious considerations. In Muslim cultures, the ideal of temperance is almost universally accepted and movements for temperance in practice are often associated with larger movements to more strictly enforce Muslim religious norms. In predominantly Christian countries, temperance is often associated with Wesleyan views on sanctification. A notable example of a religiously-based temperance movement is the Ladies' Interfaith Temperance Association in the Resurgent Dream.

The biggest supporters of temperance movements have historically been women, often in association with feminist movements. In addition to theological concerns, many women object to the role alcohol plays as a catalyst for domestic violence, to the large share of a household's income alcohol can consume, and to the devastating effects of alcohol.

In some cases, fascism and nationalism are also associated with temperance movements, claiming that alcohol erodes the strength of a nation's virility, wastes national resources, and creates a culture of dissipation, all of which are damaging to the ideals of national or racial strength held by fascists and nationalists.