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Description
This newspaper article from 1840 was a report on the Iowa Territorial Temperance Society. The Society included high-profile members like Territorial Governor Robert Lucas. The minutes of this meeting show a highly-organized civic group that was connected to the national movement. Temperance reformers wanted to ban the use of alcohol because of its ill effects on individuals and on society.
Transcript of "Celebration of the Iowa Territorial Temperance Society" Article
Printable Excerpt of "Celebration of the Iowa Territorial Temperance Society" Article
Source-Dependent Questions
- Study the lyrics of the songs. What is the overall message they convey? How does that message support the idea of the temperance movement and its goal of persuading people to end the use of alcohol?
- Identify the strategies the Iowa Territorial Temperance Society used to spread their message. Compare their strategies to methods groups today use to get you to support them.
- Robert Lucas was the governor of the Iowa territory. How important do you think it was for the Iowa Territorial Temperance Society to have the governor as its president?
Citation Information
"Celebration of the Iowa Territorial Temperance Society," The Hawk-eye and Iowa Patriot, pp. 1, 2 January 1840. Courtesy of Library of Congress