Here are some of the key things Carrie Nation did:
1. Early Life: Carrie Nation was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, in 1846. She had a difficult childhood as her father passed away when she was young, and she experienced financial hardship. These experiences influenced her later activism.
2. Religious Awakening: Nation had a personal religious awakening in her early thirties, which led her to become a devout Christian and an advocate for temperance. She believed that alcohol consumption was sinful and harmful to society.
3. Temperance Advocacy: Nation began speaking out against alcohol consumption and working with various temperance organizations. She became famous for her fiery speeches, in which she would passionately condemn the evils of alcohol.
4. Hatchetations: Nation's most notable tactic was her "hatchetations," which gained nationwide attention. She would carry a hatchet and break into saloons, destroying alcohol bottles, glasses, and furniture with it. This act of defiance and destruction became her trademark and drew considerable media attention.
5. Arrests and Imprisonment: Nation's activism often resulted in arrests and imprisonment. She was known to resist authority, confront law enforcement, and make bold public statements. Despite facing setbacks, she remained unyielding in her opposition to alcohol.
6. Influence on Prohibition: Nation's impact on the temperance movement and her role in raising public awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption are considered significant. Her advocacy contributed to the growing momentum for prohibition, which eventually culminated in the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1919.
Carrie Nation's actions were widely discussed, debated, and often criticized during her time. However, her determination and commitment to her cause made her a controversial yet iconic figure in the history of the American temperance movement.