The American temperance movement, which began during the 19th century, called for a total ban on the sale, transport, and purchase of alcoholic beverages. This movement protested alcohol's damaging effects on both the workplace, and the home. America was facing a serious alcohol problem, as alcohol was growing stronger, but American men were still drinking as much as they had in the past. The men and women in the temperance movement believed that alcohol was responsible for the immorality of America. The movement eventually succeeded with the passing of the 18th amendment, in January, 1920. Less than a year later, the 19th amendment was passed, which guaranteed women the right to vote, in addition to guaranteeing freedom from gender-based discrimination, at least from a federal standpoint. Although the two movements may seem different, the political changes called for by both were closely tied. The question lies in how, exactly, the pre-Prohibition temperance movement affected the women's suffrage movement. The temperance movement acted as a political catalyst for the women's suffrage movement, while also providing women with both their first chance to act politically, and a cause they really cared about. .
The political changes being proposed during the Prohibition movement acted as a catalyst for the women's suffrage movement. The Prohibition movement began a national debate on the issue of liberty and government. It caused changes to the political world that allowed the women's suffrage movement to begin. Not only did it rid the country of one of the biggest opposers of the women's suffrage movement, but the very nature of this movement caused enough of a political uproar, that the women's suffrage movement was able to fly in "under the radar." Suddenly, the idea of women voting didn't seem as strange as it once had, especially because this temperance movement emphasized the moral purity of women, and they had more opportunity to petition for suffrage.
