What was the primary mission of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union?

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was primarily focused on advocating for prohibition, reflecting a significant movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to curb alcohol consumption in the United States. Established in 1874, the WCTU aimed to promote temperance and eventually sought to eliminate alcohol from American society altogether. The organization's efforts included widespread education about the dangers of alcohol, mobilizing communities against it, and lobbying for legal reforms to prohibit its sale and consumption.

While the WCTU did engage in various social reform movements, including women’s suffrage and other social issues, its foundational purpose was to promote temperance and advocate for prohibition specifically. This mission aligned with the broader Progressive Era reforms, which sought to address social issues through legislation and grassroots movements.