Dominion Alliance for the Total Suppression of the Liquor Traffic

Definition

The Dominion Alliance for the Total Suppression of the Liquor Traffic was a Canadian organization established in the early 20th century aimed at promoting total prohibition of alcohol. This alliance sought to influence public policy and legislation to eliminate alcohol consumption in Canada, reflecting a growing social movement that connected temperance with social reform and moral improvement. The group's efforts were part of a larger trend towards prohibition, which ultimately had profound consequences for Canadian society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dominion Alliance was founded in 1906 as a coalition of various temperance organizations and individuals committed to achieving total prohibition in Canada.
2. Members of the alliance included religious leaders, social reformers, and women's groups who believed that banning alcohol would lead to a better society by reducing crime and improving family life.
3. The alliance played a significant role in shaping public opinion about alcohol consumption, leading to increasing support for prohibition laws across Canada in the early 1900s.
4. While the Dominion Alliance aimed for total suppression of liquor traffic, many Canadians continued to consume alcohol illegally during prohibition, leading to a rise in organized crime and bootlegging operations.
5. The organization was instrumental in the passage of the Canadian Prohibition Act in 1918, although the experiment with prohibition proved controversial and led to its eventual repeal in 1920.

Review Questions

• How did the Dominion Alliance for the Total Suppression of the Liquor Traffic influence public policy regarding alcohol consumption in Canada?
  • The Dominion Alliance significantly influenced public policy by mobilizing a wide range of supporters who advocated for total prohibition. Through campaigns, rallies, and lobbying efforts, they aimed to raise awareness about the social issues related to alcohol consumption. Their actions contributed to a shift in public sentiment that eventually led to the enactment of prohibition laws in Canada.
• Discuss the relationship between the Dominion Alliance and other social reform movements during this period.
  • The Dominion Alliance was closely tied to other social reform movements of the early 20th century, particularly those focused on women's rights and public health. Many members were also involved in efforts to improve living conditions for the working class and eliminate poverty. The alliance's promotion of prohibition was often framed as part of a broader agenda to create a healthier and more moral society, linking it to issues such as domestic violence and child welfare.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Dominion Alliance's push for total suppression of liquor traffic on Canadian society post-prohibition.
  • The push for total suppression by the Dominion Alliance led to significant long-term consequences for Canadian society even after the end of prohibition. Although many laws were repealed, the legacy of these efforts persisted through ongoing debates about alcohol regulation and public health. Additionally, the rise of organized crime during prohibition created enduring challenges for law enforcement and influenced perceptions of alcohol consumption as a social issue that continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about substance use and regulation.

Related terms

Prohibition: A legal ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, enforced in Canada from 1918 until 1920, which aimed to reduce crime and improve societal health.

Temperance Movement: A social movement advocating for moderation or complete abstinence from alcohol, which gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly among women and religious groups.

Social Reform: Efforts aimed at improving societal conditions through changes in laws, policies, and practices, often linked to movements for women's rights, labor rights, and public health.