THE ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE
The Anti-Saloon League’s (ASL) pathway to success in pushing temperance and prohibition legislation and constitutional change included a variety of methods all based on a sturdy foundation and organizational structure. Cultural change and nativism played a substantial role in the successes of Prohibition. “Especially between 1905 and 1915 the political case for prohibition was couched in the humanitarian terms of social improvement, as an aid to good government, business regulation, and social welfare reform” (Kennedy School of Government,14).
The ASL’s primary organizational unit was reliant on the church chapter, which managed most aspects of the group. From keeping the public informed via literature, to assisting with campaigns and the recruitment of group members. In the beginning, the ASL relied heavily on the public. They joined forces with The Moreau group, a group consisting of “businessmen who hoped to raise productivity by urging the workforce to shun liquor” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983). Having such a strong temperance group drew the attention of other groups, in this instance the leaders of the Federalist Party. It was through the public that the temperance group gained support, and ultimately became a movement.
The movement continued to grow in numbers; in 1826, “their efforts were so successful that by 1835, 1.5 million Americans, a tenth of the population had joined state or local branches of the organization” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983). The allies the movement sought out were crucial, gaining this degree of support in such a short period was essential to its overall success. The ASL, at this point having established their name, began seeking out means of making their presence known, specifically by branching out into the political sphere. This was accomplished by maintaining administrative departments at both the state and national levels.
In 1909, the ASL went so far as to purchasing a publishing house. The publishing house and new means of reaching the public were used to its advantage in many ways. The publishing house provided the ASL with leverage as they sought out a legislator’s support. Upon finding a legislator who would pledge to the ASL in support of anti-saloon laws, the ASL would publically endorse the individual. As a result, each party would benefit, and the public would be involved in the deciding process. Giving the ASL the advantage they needed to break into the political sphere.
From 1915 to 1917, a dry Congress was elected, which aided in the passing of the National Prohibition bill. The bill passed despite the vast number of Americans that found the bill to violate their fundamental freedoms. Ultimately the Eighteenth Amendment was passed by Congress December 18, 1917, and ratified on January 16, 1919. The Amendment was the result of the temperance movement and ASL, and stated, “After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited” (U.S. Const. am. 18)
OPPONENTS
A major wrench in the progression of the ASL’s movement was the Civil War. The war demanded funding for the Army, which resulted in the 1862 Internal Revenue Act, passed by Congress. This Act was established to levy a tax on the sale and manufacture of liquor. The government indirectly became the ASL’s opponent, “…the government not only gained a financial interest in the liquor trade, but also signaled its approval of drinking. The prohibitionists suffered a heavy moral blow” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983). As a direct result of the Internal Revenue Act and the government’s new vested financial interest in the sale of liquor, manufacturers began campaigning to abolish the anti-liquor laws the ASL passed. “By the end of the war eight of the thirteen state prohibition laws had been repealed, and the remaining five were unenforced” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983).

COLLAPSE
At first everything seemed to be going as planned, and the Prohibition was successful in its early stages. However, before long organized crime took over the production and distribution of alcohol, and thousands of illegal bars, known as speakeasies, were established in cities across the United States. One journalist mentioned the Eighteenth Amendment had been written for three passions, “the passion of the prohibitionists for law, the passion of the drinking class for drink, and the passion of the…smuggling trade….for money” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983).
With increasing corruption and disregard for the Eighteenth Amendment, the public began losing respect for the law. Not only had the Prohibition failed to carry out its intended purpose, but society no longer believed in said purpose. At this time, political objections to the Amendment also arose. Claims were being made that Prohibition “derogated states’ rights and granted undue power to the federal government” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983). Other claims of violations of rights were also made, “…Prohibition agents violated citizens’ right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, as well as their property rights, when they tapped telephone wires, searched automobiles, and destroyed speakeasies. Worst of all critics argued, Prohibition often violated the right to life” (Kennedy School of Government, 1983). As a result of the public dissatisfaction, and the stock market crash of 1929 which yielded economic concerns, Prohibition was actively being abolished. On February 16, 1933, Senate, in a 63 to 23 voted decided to submit a constitutional amendment to repeal Prohibition. This repeal was approved by the House, and on December 3, 1933 Prohibition officially ended.
APPLICATION
There are very useful lessons that the right-to-life movement can learn from the ASL. The main lessons being the importance of education the public via advertisements; something that is much easier in today’s society given the technological advancements of the modern era. But also, there is great importance in having and maintaining the public’s support. Should society lose trust in the cause, there is a significant chance it will turn out unfavorable. The third large takeaway is the importance has a presence in all influential aspects of the process; the public and in the political scene being the two biggest. A crucial aspect of the success of this organization will rest with the leaders. Having a reliable, mission-driven leader will not only help recruit members but will make the organization stand out and be known. I would suggest following the ASL’s lead, and partnering with religious and otherwise groups who can help establish the group foundationally. Once the group has a large enough following, finding a representative in the political sphere to back the organization will be vital. In my opinion, it will be by these means that the right-to-life organization is successful in carrying out its mission of passing a constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion.