Topic Guide to the Temperance & Prohibition

The information and links below include search tips and a selection of articles covering this topic in the digitized Louisiana newspapers. The dates and suggested search terms can help to further explore this topic on Chronicling America. For the most search results, try the search terms in different combinations, in proximity, and as phrases.

Significant Dates

1826 – American Temperance Society is formed in Boston
1842 – Sons of Temperance is formed in New York City
1861-1865 – The Civil War becomes the prime focus of the nation; major temperance activities are put on hold
1874 – National Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) is founded in Cleveland
1893 – Anti-Saloon League forms in Oberlin, Ohio with the aim of promoting legislation for nationwide prohibition
1918 – Louisiana state legislature ratifies the 18th Amendment by a narrow margin as north and central "dry" areas defeated the "wet" votes of southern Louisiana and New Orleans
1919 – The production, transport, and sale of alcohol becomes illegal on January 16, when Nebraska becomes the 36th of 48 states to ratify the 18th Amendment
1919 – The National Prohibition Act (also called the Volstead Act), which provided enforcement to the 18th Amendment, is passed by Congress on October 28
1919 – Woodrow Wilson vetoes the National Prohibition Act
1919 – Congress immediately votes to override Wilson's veto
1920 – The 18th Amendment takes effect on January 17
1933 – The 18th Amendment is repealed

Suggested Search Terms

Temperance, Prohibition, Teetotalism, Anti-Saloon, 18th Amendment, Volstead Act, National Prohibition Act, Prohibition Party, Sons of Temperance

Sample Articles

• "Sons of Temperance in Louisiana" The Planters' Banner, January 24, 1850, Image 2
• "The Interest of St. Mary" The Planters' Banner, May 09, 1852, Image 2
• "Temperance" The Planters' Banner, July 24, 1852, Image 1
• "The Pope on Catholic Temperance" The Morning Star and Catholic Messenger, March 08, 1874, Image 1
• "Liquor Laws" The Louisiana Democrat, August 01, 1885, Image 1
• "The Effects of Prohibition in Rapides" The Louisiana Democrat, April 28, 1886, Image 2
• "Why I Leave the Democratic Party" Homer Guardian, November 09, 1888, Image 4
• "Work for Temperance" The Jennings Daily Record, March 18, 1902, Image 3
• "Enforced Temperance" The Banner-Democrat, April 05, 1902, Image 1
• "Temperance" The Jennings Daily Record, June 11, 1902, Image 2
• "Total Abstainers Will Lead" The Jennings Daily Record, September 04, 1902, Image 2
• "The War on Saloons" The Lafayette Advertiser, November 29, 1907, Image 3
• "Prohibition Movement" The Louisiana Democrat, December 10, 1907, Image 1
• "Prohibition Proven a Monster Humbug" The Opelousas Courier, March 28, 1908, Image 4
• "Prohibitionists Sweep Empire Saint Landry" St. Landry Clarion, April 25, 1908, Image 1
• "Anti-Saloon League Organized Sunday" St. Lafayette Advertiser, April 30, 1908, Image 1
• "Liquor Questions Before Louisiana Legislature" The True Democrat, May 23, 1908, Image 4
• "Wm. Jennings Bryan is Opposed to Prohibition" St. Landry Clarion, June 20, 1908, Image 2
• "More Facts Showing Prohibition Does Not Prohibit More Drunkenness in Prohibition States" The Lafayette Advertiser, July 31, 1908, Image 6
• "Temperance Rally" The Rice Belt Journal, October 02, 1908, Image 1
• "Shreveport Saloon" The Caucasian, May 16, 1909, Image 1
• "The Folly of Prohibition" St. Landry Clarion, September 18, 1909, Image 4
• "A Question of Profit and Loss" The Colfax Chronicle, October 23, 1909, Image 5
• "Urged Prohibition" The Caucasian, November 24, 1910, Image 1
• "Baptists Meet in New Orleans" St. Tammany Farmer, November 26, 1910, Image 7
• "Webb Bill Revives Anti-Saloon League" The Rice Belt Journal, March 21, 1916, Image 1
• "License for Near Beer Saloons Fixed at $1000" Bogalusa Enterprise, July 22, 1915, Image 3
• "Lieut. Gov. Barret Denies He is Recent Prohibition Convert" Bogalusa Enterprise, November 18, 1915, Image 1
• "Those Pleasant Prohibitionists" The True Democrat, December 11, 1915, Image 2
• "Prt Jeff. Davis Parish W.C.T.U. Convention" The Rice Belt Journal, June 23, 1916, Image 4
• "Nation Dry Only After Long Fight" The Madison Journal, January 25, 1919, Image 2
• "Prohibition Rests in Public's Hands" St. Landry Clarion, December 27, 1919, Image 6
• "Prohibition Law to be Held Valid" The Concordia Sentinel, January 17, 1920, Image 2
• "Drys Lay Siege to Both Parties" St. Landry Clarion, April 24, 1920, Image 3
• "Do You Want Prohibition Continued?" St. Tammany Farmer, May 29, 1920, Image 1
• "Ruling is Made on Storing of Liquor" Le Meschacébé, November 20, 1920, Image 2
• "Petition Legislature for Volstead Act" The Rice Belt Journal, August 06, 1921, Image 1
• "Reason Will Prevail" The Donaldsonville Chief, September 10, 1921, Image 1
• "Beneficial Effects of Prohibition" Woman's Enterprise, June 01, 1922, Image 6
• "Prohibition vs. John Barleycorn" The Herald, October 12, 1922, Image 1