Carrie Nation Smashes Saloons to Smithereens (feat. Amber Ruffin & Vanessa Bayer) - Drunk History

TL;DR

Carrie A. Nation took matters into her own hands and smashed up bars to bring attention to the dangers of alcohol in Kansas.

Transcript

• Hello, I'm Amber Ruffin, and today, we're gonna talk about the saloon smasher. - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. - [hiccups] Our story starts in Kansas! Carrie Nation married a man, but he dies of alcoholism. So, in 1900, she prayed for God to tell her what to do. Jesus, let me know what I can do to stop people from drinking. God said to her, Go to K... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤢 Carrie Nation's bar-smashing crusade was fueled by her personal experience with alcoholism and the desire to bring attention to its dangers.
• 😀 Despite facing opposition and being labeled as crazy, her actions and efforts were instrumental in the passage of prohibition laws.
• 🧑‍🚒 Carrie expanded her campaign beyond Kansas and gained fame for her relentless fight against alcohol.
• 🗯️ She was not only concerned about alcohol but was also a strong advocate for women's rights, fighting for equal rights and suffrage.
• 💨 Carrie's actions and advocacy paved the way for future advancements in women's rights and the temperance movement.
• 😀 She faced arrest and imprisonment for her activities, but her determination remained unwavering.
• 🤢 Carrie used various tools, like bricks and rocks initially, and later a hatchet, to smash up bars and bring attention to the cause.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Carrie Nation start smashing up bars?

After her husband's death and a prayer for guidance, Carrie felt compelled to take action against alcoholism and believed that smashing up bars was a way to spread awareness and bring about change.

Q: Did Carrie Nation face any consequences for her actions?

Yes, Carrie was arrested and spent seven weeks in jail for her bar-smashing activities. However, this didn't deter her, and she continued her campaign against alcohol.

Q: Did Carrie Nation only focus on Kansas, or did she spread her message elsewhere?

After gaining support in Kansas, Carrie traveled across the United States, smashing up bars and advocating for the prohibition of alcohol. Her efforts played a significant role in the passage of the 1919 prohibition law.

Q: Was Carrie Nation only focused on alcohol, or did she advocate for other causes as well?

Besides her fight against alcohol, Carrie Nation was also a staunch advocate for women's rights, particularly the right to vote. She believed in equality and fought for multiple causes throughout her life.

Key Insights:

• Carrie Nation's bar-smashing crusade was fueled by her personal experience with alcoholism and the desire to bring attention to its dangers.
• Despite facing opposition and being labeled as crazy, her actions and efforts were instrumental in the passage of prohibition laws.
• Carrie expanded her campaign beyond Kansas and gained fame for her relentless fight against alcohol.
• She was not only concerned about alcohol but was also a strong advocate for women's rights, fighting for equal rights and suffrage.
• Carrie's actions and advocacy paved the way for future advancements in women's rights and the temperance movement.
• She faced arrest and imprisonment for her activities, but her determination remained unwavering.
• Carrie used various tools, like bricks and rocks initially, and later a hatchet, to smash up bars and bring attention to the cause.
• The support she gained from the crowds at the bars contributed to her growing fame and influence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Carrie Nation, after her husband's death from alcoholism, prayed for a sign from God and was instructed to go to Kiowa, Kansas to stop people from drinking.

• She gained supporters after smashing up bars and bottles of alcohol, despite it being illegal to sell liquor in Kansas.

• Carrie continued her crusade, smashing up bars in other cities and becoming famous for her efforts.