Glasgow's temperance story: changing approaches towards the control of alcohol abuse

This article gives an account of the growth and eventual decline of Glasgow's Temperance Movement from its beginnings in the early part of the 19th century, to the present day. The article focuses on the changing rhetoric, aims and practice of the various organisations within the Glasgow Temperance Movement. These shifts, from individual persuasion to moves for government legislation, are analysed in relation to the social and political conditions of their time. The article concludes by drawing comparisons between these early changes within the Temperance Movement and the current shifts with regard to alcohol policy, from concern for the 'alcoholic' to a more generalised focus on the 'moderate drinker', being witnessed at present in the UK.