Founding and Early Years
The Anti Saloon League was founded in 1893 in Oberlin, Ohio by Howard Hyde Russell but was pushed to national prominence by the leadership and strategies of Wayne Wheeler. It set out a goal rather than the WTCU, who focused on a wide range of issues, only on the ban of alcohol in the Untied States.
Political Strategy
Through the leadership of Wayne Wheeler the Anti Saloon League pioneered a new political strategy called "pressure politics." This method meant that the ASL was not aligned with any political party, instead they supported which ever politician that supported probation. By doing this their massive influence had the power to swing entire elections which forced many politicians to support the temperance movement. They also used "grassroots activism" and propaganda heavily, using published pamphlets, newspapers, church support, and organized rallies to spread anti-alcohol support. All of these strategies were part of the overall strategy called "Wheelerism" where instead of the the WTCU spreading support among the public and raising awareness they set out to put pressure on Politian's to force the ban of alcohol.