anti-saloon league of america: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2/Historical Term)Historical/Academic/Formal
Quick answer
What does “anti-saloon league of america” mean?
A major and powerful political pressure group in the United States (1893–1933) dedicated to achieving nationwide prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major and powerful political pressure group in the United States (1893–1933) dedicated to achieving nationwide prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
Refers specifically to the historical organization, often cited as a prime example of single-issue political activism, lobbying, and the use of moral and religious arguments to influence legislation. Its tactics and success are studied in history, political science, and sociology as a model for interest group politics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively relevant to American history. A British user would encounter it only in historical/academic contexts about the US. There is no direct British equivalent organization of comparable national impact.
Connotations
In American usage, it connotes a pivotal force in a major socio-political movement (Prohibition). It carries connotations of moral crusading, political influence, and a specific period in US history. For non-Americans, it is a specific historical reference.
Frequency
Frequency is near-zero in everyday British English. In American English, it appears in educational materials, history books, and documentaries but not in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “anti-saloon league of america” in a Sentence
[The] Anti-Saloon League of America + [past tense verb: lobbied, advocated, pressured, succeeded][Historical actor] + [was opposed by/ supported by] + the Anti-Saloon League of AmericaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and American studies papers and lectures to discuss pre-Prohibition politics, interest groups, and social movements.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in a documentary or advanced history book discussion.
Technical
Used as a specific case study in political science regarding single-issue pressure groups and legislative strategy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anti-saloon league of america”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anti-saloon league of america”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anti-saloon league of america”
- Misspelling as 'Anti-Salon League'.
- Using it as a common noun, e.g., 'They formed an anti-saloon league' (unless deliberately referencing the historical model).
- Incorrect capitalization: 'anti-saloon league of america'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it was instrumental in securing the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1919, which established national Prohibition.
No. The organization declined after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 and was superseded by other groups.
It refers to a establishment where alcoholic drinks are sold and consumed, akin to a pub or bar, common in the 19th and early 20th century United States.
The 'temperance movement' is the broader social and moral campaign for reduced or prohibited alcohol consumption. The Anti-Saloon League of America was a specific, highly organized and politically focused organization within that larger movement.
A major and powerful political pressure group in the United States (1893–1933) dedicated to achieving nationwide prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
Anti-saloon league of america is usually historical/academic/formal in register.
Anti-saloon league of america: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ti səˈluːn ˌliːɡ əv əˈmer.ɪ.kə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.taɪ ˈseɪ.luːn ˌliːɡ əv əˈmer.ɪ.kə/ /ˌæn.t̬i-/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly. The organization's name is the key term.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a league (like a sports league) of people who are ANTI the SALOON (old word for bar). They banded together across America to ban alcohol.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MORAL ARMY (crusading, campaigning, fighting against vice). A POLITICAL MACHINE (well-organized, strategic, focused on legislative power).
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary goal of the Anti-Saloon League of America?