Scottish Temperance League (temperance association: 1844-1922: Glasgow, Scotland)

In 1852, the first prohibition of drink laws were passed in the state of Maine, United States, influencing the cause for fighting alcoholic drink by national and municipal legislation to be taken up by the Manchester-based United Kingdom Alliance for the Suppression of the Traffic in Intoxicating Liquors . The Scottish Temperance League , founded in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1844 , believed in the power of anti-drink propaganda and temperance education. A 'rival' association, the Scottish Permissive Bill Association which later became the Scottish Permissive Bill & Temperance Association , was founded in Glasgow in 1858 for those who favoured the Maine Law. However, the Scottish Temperance League held the view that legislation without a change of attitude from the electorate would be less than useless and the two associations quarrelled for over a decade.

The League's first offices were at 108 Hope Street, Glasgow, but occupied premises at 226 West George Street, Glasgow, by the 1910s. The League was governed by an executive committee with sub-committees on finance, advocacy and publicity, and youth. Youth drunkenness was an increasing problem within the city and the temperance movement was eager to educate people from an early age as to the dangers of the 'demon drink'. The League was involved in producing and publishing a large number of tracts, pamphlets and materials promoting abstinence from alcohol.

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