"We, who were once degraded by the cup of excess, have banded together as self-governing men of labor. In this age of steam and machinery, we do not appeal to the patronizing charity of the wealthy, but to our own sense of moral duty. By pledging ourselves to total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, we reclaim our independence as citizens and our usefulness in the workshop."
— Address of the Washington Temperance Society, 1841
Which of the following developments in the first half of the nineteenth century most directly contributed to the emergence of the reform effort described in the excerpt?
- The social and economic changes of the Market Revolution, which heightened the premium on industrial discipline and sobriety.Answer
- BThe federal government's efforts to regulate commerce and establish national labor standards.
- CA widespread shift away from commercial manufacturing toward localized, self-sufficient household production.
- DThe decline of religious interest and church attendance among the urban working class.
Answer
The social and economic changes of the Market Revolution, which heightened the premium on industrial discipline and sobriety.
The correct answer is correct because the Market Revolution fundamentally reorganized American work life, transitioning production from homes to factories and workshops. This shift required a highly disciplined, synchronized, and sober workforce. Both middle-class reformers and working-class organizations like the Washingtonians championed temperance as a way to adapt to and succeed in the new industrial economy.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The connection between the Market Revolution and the rise of the temperance movement in the antebellum era.