Frame Size (H x L): 11.5” x 23.5”
Ribbon Size (H x L): 1.5” x 13.5” 

Offered is a silk ribbon with serrated edges along the top and bottom, featuring the word "PROHIBITION" boldly printed in block letters. Created to garner public support, it was likely displayed at rallies or worn by advocates of the temperance movement. The ribbon serves as a tangible representation of the fervent activism that fueled the campaign to ban alcohol in the United States. Its simple yet striking design reflects the strong moral and political stance of the era, aimed at promoting the cause of national prohibition.

The decades leading up to nationwide prohibition were characterized by a fervent and increasingly organized temperance movement. Rooted in the moral and religious ideals of the 19th century, temperance advocates initially sought to curb excessive drinking through personal restraint. However, as the movement evolved, its focus shifted from voluntary abstinence to the complete eradication of alcohol consumption. The Women's Christian Temperance Union (“WCTU”), founded in 1874, became one of the most prominent organizations advocating for temperance. It framed alcohol as a destructive force on family life and society, often emphasizing its negative effects on women and children, who suffered from domestic violence and financial instability caused by drinking. The WCTU's grassroots activism helped spread the message, establishing temperance as a national cause with deep religious and moral underpinnings.

In parallel, the Anti-Saloon League (“ASL”), founded in 1893, emerged as a powerful political force that advanced the temperance agenda through lobbying and direct political action. Unlike the WCTU, which took a broader approach to social reform, the ASL focused solely on the prohibition of alcohol. The league was particularly effective in mobilizing political support by framing the alcohol question as a nonpartisan issue of public morality. It used its considerable influence to sway politicians, applying pressure through a well-organized network of local chapters. The ASL’s ability to build alliances with both progressive reformers and conservative religious groups made it a potent force in national politics. By the early 20th century, it had secured several victories, including state-level prohibition laws and the closure of saloons in many communities.

The movement’s rise coincided with broader societal changes brought on by industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. As cities grew and populations became more diverse, alcohol was increasingly seen as a threat to social order. Saloons, which often catered to working-class and immigrant communities, became flashpoints for the temperance cause. Reformers argued that alcohol contributed to poverty, crime, and inefficiency in the workplace. These concerns dovetailed with the progressive movement’s larger goals of improving society through government intervention and regulation. By portraying alcohol as a public menace that needed to be eradicated for the good of the nation, temperance advocates successfully linked their cause to broader efforts at societal reform.

By the time the 18th Amendment was passed in 1919, the political climate had shifted in favor of prohibition. World War I played a crucial role in this shift, as anti-German sentiment fueled opposition to breweries, many of which were operated by German Americans. Additionally, wartime grain shortages provided a practical argument for limiting alcohol production. Prohibition was framed as both a patriotic and moral duty, bolstering the temperance movement's appeal to the general public. The 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, was ratified by the states in 1919, and Prohibition officially went into effect in 1920. This marked the culmination of decades of activism and political maneuvering, though the societal and legal challenges that followed would reveal the complexities of enforcing such a sweeping ban on alcohol.
 
Conservation Process: This ribbon was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the ribbon, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The ribbon is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Large Reclaimed Wood Frame. 

Condition Report: The ribbon is in excellent condition, with its silk still vibrant and the block lettering intact. The edges show some fraying.

Collectability Level: The Good – Perfect for Beginning Collectors and Gifts  
Date of Origin: 1893-1919