The Background of Roe v Wade
Roe v Wade is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court. The case was decided on January 22, 1973, and it legalized abortion nationwide. Before the decision, abortion was illegal in most states, except in cases where the mother's life was at risk.
The plaintiff, Norma McCorvey, sought an abortion in Texas, but she was denied by the state's laws. She filed a lawsuit against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, challenging the constitutionality of the Texas abortion laws.
The Justices Who Voted for the Majority
The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v Wade was a 7-2 ruling in favor of the plaintiff. The justices who voted for the majority were:
1. Harry Blackmun
Harry Blackmun was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1970. He wrote the majority opinion in Roe v Wade, which held that a woman has a constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.
2. William Brennan
William Brennan was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. He was a strong advocate of individual rights and civil liberties, and he voted in favor of the plaintiff in Roe v Wade.
3. Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. He was known for his moderate views and his emphasis on judicial restraint. He voted in favor of the plaintiff in Roe v Wade.
4. Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967. He was the first African American justice on the Supreme Court, and he was a strong advocate of civil rights and equal protection. He voted in favor of the plaintiff in Roe v Wade.
5. Lewis Powell
Lewis Powell was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1972. He was a conservative justice who was known for his pragmatic approach to the law. He voted in favor of the plaintiff in Roe v Wade.
6. Warren Burger
Warren Burger was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1969. He was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the time of the Roe v Wade decision. He voted in favor of the plaintiff in Roe v Wade.
7. William Douglas
William Douglas was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. He was known for his liberal views and his advocacy for individual rights. He voted in favor of the plaintiff in Roe v Wade.
The Dissenting Justices
The two dissenting justices in Roe v Wade were:
1. William Rehnquist
William Rehnquist was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He was a conservative justice who later became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He dissented from the majority opinion in Roe v Wade.
2. Byron White
Byron White was appointed to the Supreme Court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. He was known for his strict interpretation of the law and his skepticism of judicial activism. He dissented from the majority opinion in Roe v Wade.
The Impact of Roe v Wade
Roe v Wade is one of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century. It established a constitutional right to abortion and has been the subject of much debate and controversy ever since.
Proponents of abortion rights argue that the decision is necessary to protect women's health and freedom, while opponents argue that it undermines the sanctity of life and encourages a culture of death.
Despite the controversy, the majority opinion in Roe v Wade remains the law of the land, and it has been reaffirmed by subsequent Supreme Court decisions, including Planned Parenthood v Casey in 1992.
Conclusion
The seven justices who voted for the majority in Roe v Wade were Harry Blackmun, William Brennan, Potter Stewart, Thurgood Marshall, Lewis Powell, Warren Burger, and William Douglas. The two dissenting justices were William Rehnquist and Byron White. The decision remains one of the most significant in Supreme Court history and continues to be the subject of much debate and controversy.