Mary Hunt (1830–1906) became one of the most powerful women in the United States temperance movement promoting Prohibition of alcohol. Mary was a well educated woman. Bootleggers and speakeasies became targets of both groups, and while the temperance movement preached, the KKK got out their tar and feathers. In 1890 she was named to a position in the World’s WCTU comparable to the one she held in the national organization. But legislative triumphs could not assure compliance within the schools, which routinely flouted state authority. Until one December Day in 1825, when a man purchased liquor from another location and fell asleep on the side of the road and died. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Mary Hannah Hanchett Hunt was a leader in the campaign for temperance education in the schools. On her death there were questions asked regarding the finances of the organisation. She was known in her day as the woman who appeared before more legislative bodies than any other person. Temperance--the moderation or abstention in the use of alcohol gained many supporters in the early 1800s. Thought that poverty was caused by alcohol. Hunt, with whom she settled in Massachusetts. She traveled thousands of miles and delivered innumerable messages on temperance, education, and similar themes. ), American temperance leader who adopted a physiological basis for her campaign against the use of alcoholic beverages. She attended local schools as a child and went on to teach in a country school for one year before enrolling in Amenia Seminary in New York in 1847. © 1999 to Present ~ All Rights Reserved ~ History's Women ~ Brought to you by PCPublications. Temperance Movement, early 1800s. … By the beginning of the 20th century, The Scientific Temperance Instruction movement directed by Mary Hunt had proved to be highly successful. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Eighteenth Amendment is often traced back to the influence that Mary Hunt had on the generation of school children brought up on W.C.T. At that point (1879) she was invited by Frances E. Willard to present her ideas to the national convention of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. The WCTU was an influential organization with a membership of 120,000 by 1879. Hunt traveled widely to direct the state campaigns, supervised the production of suitable textbooks, and from 1892 edited the Scientific Temperance Monthly Advices (later the School Physiology Journal) for teachers. By the late 19th century a more successful abstinence-oriented movement emerged under the influence of the U.S. temperance movement. Though she did not realize it, Mary was unconsciously training for her life work in behalf of scientific temperance instruction. For example, books should stress that a little drink creates an uncontrollable craving for more. With origins in the antebellum temperance movement, which was especially popular in the North among religious, native-born individuals, and sharing a similar goal of constitutional prohibition, these two groups began by attracting former Republicans and women who had favored that party. After a thorough course of studies she became a professor of natural science at the Seminary. However, it failed to bring about prohibition despite a long campaign for local option. Their crusade against alcohol, which grew out of the Second Great Awakening, became a powerful social and political force. Daniel would subsequently participate in the Temperance Movement. She published A History of the First Decade of the Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Colleges (1891) and An Epoch of the Nineteenth Century (1897). Australia. Her name was Mary Hunt and she did this alongside Elizabeth Gelok who personally taught in the colleges about the science temperance instruction. She was known in her day as the woman who appeared before more legislative bodies than any other person. While contemplating the problems that the use of alcohol created in society, she quickly realized that rescue work was only part of the answer. From overcoming oppression, to breaking rules, to reimagining the world or waging a rebellion, these women of history have a story to tell. The groundwork that Mary Hunt laid helped to develop and legislate the Eighteenth Amendment which put Prohibition into effect in the United States. In 1882 a state-by-state campaign was mounted to secure such legislation, beginning in Vermont, where a law to that effect was passed in November. Mary Hunt (1830–1906) became one of the most powerful women in the United States temperance movement promoting Prohibition of alcohol. Her father owned and operated a family ironworks in Salisbury, Connecticut and was also a courageous and enthusiastic worker in the anti-slavery movement. Keeping this in view, who founded the temperance movement? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The following year the WCTU established a Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction, of which Hunt was named national superintendent. Mary Hannah Hanchett Hunt, née Mary Hannah Hanchett, (born June 4, 1830, South Canaan, Conn., U.S.—died April 24, 1906, Dorchester, Mass. She believed that voters "must first be convinced that alcohol and kindred narcotics are by nature outlaws, before they will outlaw them." Mary Hunt worked to substantiate the accuracy of the claims of the physiological damage alcohol could cause. Calls for alcohol education were heard as early as 1869, when temperance writer Julia Coleman addressed the Fulton County (NY) Teachers' Institute on the subject. “The temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In 1886, she sent publishers a checklist for textbooks that would be acceptable to the WCTU. A year’s experiment with a program of lectures and petitions at the local level convinced her that only legislation could accomplish the goal of making temperance instruction mandatory in public schools. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Meet extraordinary women who dared to bring gender equality and other issues to the forefront. Mary Hunt (1830–1906) became one of the most powerful women in the United States temperance movement promoting Prohibition of alcohol. Temperance movement by country. She believed that instruction in the negative effects of alcohol to children should not be optional, but mandatory. Some of the changes the WCTU sought included property … ), American temperance leader who adopted a physiological basis for her campaign against the use of alcoholic beverages. In 1852, after a year as a governess on a Virginia plantation, she married Leander B. Mary Hunt (1830–1906) was an American activist in the United States temperance movement promoting prohibition of alcohol. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Carrie Nation. She became the superintendent of the newly formed educational department of that group. Blamed alcohol for the breakup of families. Describes the work of Mary Hunt and the Scientific Temperance movement to mandate teaching about the nature of alcohol and narcotics in the public schools. With Mary in the lead, a new school curriculum on hygiene was created, which included a section on the evils of alcohol. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. Mary Hunt. Under the direction of Mary H. Hunt, the peripatetic "Queen of the Lobby," women would use similar strategies to win compulsory Scientific Temperance Instruction (STI) in every state and territory in America by 1901. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Temperance Leaders . Hunt. The Temperance Movement is a social movement which was started to the make alcohol consumption free society during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Australia, the temperance movement began in the mid-1830s promoting moderation rather than abstinence. Support through vandalism. Although an abstinence pledge had been introduced by churches as early as 1800, the earliest temperance organizations seem to have been those founded at Saratoga, New York, in 1808 and in Massachusetts in 1813. [citation needed] Frances Willard led the group under the motto "Do Everything" to protect women and children. In Australia, the temperance movement began in the mid-1830s promoting moderation rather than abstinence.By the late 19th century a more successful abstinence-oriented movement emerged under the influence of the U.S. temperance movement. She gained the power to accept or reject children's textbooks based on their representation of her views of the danger of alcohol. Neal Dow. Temperance Movement. By 1900, nearly every state had added an anti-alcohol class to … Their messages went hand-in-hand — while the KKK rallied against groups like immigrants and Catholics, the temperance movement was blaming those same groups for spreading the evils of alcohol. After graduating from the latter, she remained for a time as a science teacher and collaborated with Almira Hart Lincoln Phelps, principal of the school, on a series of science textbooks. Mary Hunt (1,186 words) exact match in snippet view article find links to article Mary Hunt (1830–1906) was an American activist in the United States temperance movement promoting prohibition of alcohol. Discusses organization in the Scientific Temperance movement's response to public school administration and educational politics. Believed alcohol hurt people physically and mentally. The WCTU was an influential organization with a membership of 120,000 by 1879. In 1848 she entered Patapsco Female Institute, near Baltimore, Maryland. Hunt was the driving force behind the Scientific Temperance Instruction Movement, and although they met resistance at first, the WTCU made sure that their members and supporters were in key roles within the education system. Hunt’s interest in the temperance movement had been inherited from her father, and she soon began promoting temperance on scientific grounds, an idea that had been proposed but never before effectively applied. The movement’s … Enacting mandatory temperance instruction laws and making sure that they were strictly enforced was only part of the movement. However, Hunt was not satisfied with the outcome and created the Scientific Temperance Instruction Movement, where she would try to ensure the election of pro-temperance candidates. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence from alcohol (teetotalism), and its leaders emphasize alcohol's negative effects on people's health, personalities and family lives. She gained the power to accept or reject children's textbooks based on their representation of her views of the danger of alcohol. Mayor of Portland, ME. They settled in East Brookline, Massachusetts, where her parents became active in the temperance movement. Her mother ... She later moved to Boston, where she worked as secretary to Mary Hanchett Hunt, director of the Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction of the national WCTU. Wanted to make alcohol illegal. She felt that the real nature and effects of alcoholic drinks upon the mind and body needed to be taught to children. This movement was generally successful as by 1885 Congress mandated temperance education in the public school system and by 1901 all states in America has temperance laws in practice, helped along by the work of Mary Hunt. They should illustrate the “appalling effects of drinking habits upon the citizenship of the nation.” And they should not mention th… Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Examines the struggle over organization and planning within the public school system. On her death there were questions asked regarding the finances of the organisation. Mary Hannah Hanchett Hunt, née Mary Hannah Hanchett, (born June 4, 1830, South Canaan, Conn., U.S.—died April 24, 1906, Dorchester, Mass. In 1873, the WCTU established a Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Colleges, with Mary Hunt as National Superintendent. She saw the sale of liquor and the consumption of alcohol as the great enemy of society and the sorrow of mothers and wives. Passed law making Maine a dry state. In 1880 the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) established a Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Colleges, with Mary Hunt as National Superintendent. Omissions? Temperance movement, movement dedicated to promoting moderation and, more often, complete abstinence in the use of intoxicating liquor (see alcohol consumption). How did the temperance movement impact the fight for women's … Mary Hannah Hanchett Hunt was a leader in the campaign for temperance education in the schools. While working at Patapsco Female Seminary, Mary began to study the physiological effects of alcohol. U. approved textbooks. The Women's Christian Temperance Movement continued on and accomplished having a permanent professional lobbyist in the nation's capital. By 1900, Congress passed legislation making anti-alcohol classes mandatory in schools across the country. In 1852 Mary married Leander B. By 1886, a national temperance education law was adopted. In 1873, the WCTU established a Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Colleges, with Mary Hunt as National Superintendent. Mary was an active member of the National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.). Corrections? JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Mary Hanchett taught school for a year before attending the Amenia (New York) Seminary and the Patapsco Female Institute near Baltimore, Maryland. She traveled thousands of miles and delivered innumerable messages on temperance, education, and similar themes. Neal S. Dow “Napoleon of Temperance” Henry . After her death and a dispute over the ownership of her property and work, the Scientific Temperance Federation (STF) was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906. Frances Willard led the group under the motto "Do Everything" to protect women and children. Susan B. Anthony witnessed her father become more involved with the Temperance Movement from the young age of 5. Mary Hunt (1830–1906) was an American activist in the United States temperance movement promoting prohibition of alcohol. However, it failed to bring about prohibition despite a long campaign for local option. In 1873, the WCTU established a Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Colleges, with Mary Hunt as National Superintendent. In the middle 1870s, while helping her son Alfred E. Hunt (later a distinguished chemist and engineer) study for a chemistry course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she became interested in the existing literature on the physiological effects of alcohol. But Mary Hunt found the results disappointing. Cogswell. In 1878, having drawn up a series of graded lessons, she persuaded the Hyde Park school board to adopt them for use in physiology and hygiene classes in the local schools. Her campaign was not without its controversial aspects, and outright opposition to it climaxed in the 1903 report of a distinguished “Committee of Fifty” educators, scientists, and clergymen. Mary hunt felt that the people in the schools and colleges were the future voters and gyration and hence sought to teach them abut the temperance movement and her efforts bore fruit wit the idea of making the education compulsory. Other supporters like Mary Hunt urged temperance instruction in schools. School boards were not as pliant as expected and it was much more difficult to remove recalcitrant board members. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The WCTU was an influential organization with a membership of 120,000 by 1879. By 1901 the desired legislation had been adopted in every state, and from 1886 a federal law required temperance instruction in schools under federal control. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Hannah-Hanchett-Hunt. She gained the power to accept They moved in 1865 to the Boston suburb of Hyde Park (now part of Boston). Though Mary died before it’s enactment in 1920, her life’s work helped bring into law the prohibition of the manufacturing, sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States, which lasted from 1920-1933. Mary’s mother was a direct descendent of Edward Winslow, governor of the Plymouth Colony and Thomas Thacher, the first pastor of Boston’s Old South Church. Her experience in attempting this program in other Massachusetts towns soon demonstrated to her the necessity of a greater force than individual persuasion. Take advantage of our Presidents' Day bonus! Similar appeals were made by others over the next few years. Besides using temperance textbooks -- which Hunt chose carefully in order find books advocating complete abstinence -- the law also included the mandatory teaching of the effects of alcohol and drugs. She continued to direct her campaign until her death in 1906, after which it soon waned. While Mrs. Hunt did have a high regard for science, saving family from the devastating effects of alcohol became her passion. Jan 30, 2016 - Up and Coming Rock Band .... See more ideas about Temperance movement, Temperance, Movement. She was the second child of the four daughters born to Ephraim Hanchett and Nancy Swift. Updates? She readily acknowledged that her true goal was to produce “from the schoolhouses all over the land….trained haters of alcohol to pour a whole Niagara of ballots upon the saloon” (quoted in Standard Encyclopedia of the Alcohol Problem, III, 1269). Mary Hunt wanted to dictate the content of the instruction and textbooks. After becoming a mother she found a further education and preparation for her great work. Mary was born on June 4, 1830 in South Canaan, Connecticut. Prohibitionist mayor of Portland, Maine.