"There was nothing at that time more controversial than the question of abortion and there was much difference of opinion." -John Tolle, former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney
Historical Context
Before Roe v. Wade, there were many social movements for women. Women across the U.S. were pushing for equal contribution to society. Countless other movements were also happening, including the push for government to stay out of personal lives which would mean decriminalizing contraceptives. Abortion was also being discussed as a means for population control. (C-SPAN video)
|
"You have the Equal Rights Amendment moving through the Senate and the House." (Roe v. Wade in PBS' Supreme Court)
|
"The number of press stories about the problems resulting from the fact that abortion was generally illegal in the U.S. and yet women were insisting on having illegal abortions when that was the only alternative they could afford to end an unwanted pregnancy led to various groups and important individuals speaking out with the goal of changing the various state laws and the law throughout the U.S. The number of women dying, being made sterile, or having grave medical problems as a result of the fact that abortions were illegal and that women were seeking illegal abortions created pressure to change the laws."
-Sarah Weddington, Lawyer for Jane Roe