1870s: The Temperance Movement is in full swing in Britain and other countries. In 1874, the Woman's Christian Temperance Movement is founded in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1883 becomes an international organization.

Today: The temperance movement, per se, is no longer viable, but Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-known organization for those with alcohol-related disorders, and rehabilitation centers abound to assist those with drinking and other drug addictions, while multiple laws exist to deal with issues such as public intoxication and driving under the influence.

1870s: Few women have careers other than that of homemakers, and Anna Sewell spends her entire life in her parents' home, though her mother is a bestselling author of children's morality tales.

Today: Women in the workforce are commonplace in Britain and other developed countries and have a firm place as authors in the world of literature, although there are still fewer...