The History of Abortion https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/abortion/abortion-central-history-reproductive-health-care-america/historical-abortion-law-timeline-1850-today

By Lakyn.e

  • The AMA (American Medical Association) was formed

    Members launched a criminalization campaign against abortion and state legislatures moved to ban abortion.

  • Criminalization and vilification

    Abortion was restricted by laws in all states except during life or death instances and it became highly stigmatized.

  • Abortion becomes illegal

    Abortion moved from being restricted to illegal

  • Death by backyard abortion

    2,700 women lost their lives (1/5 women) to unsafe or illegal abortion

  • Conference on legalizing abortion

    After the media learned about the deaths that the ban was causing Planned Parenthood took charge to reform the abortion law improving women’s reproductive health care.

  • The ASA (Association for the Study of Abortion) was formed

    The ASA worked to advance abortion procedures as well as increase abortion access

  • Roe v. Wade

    The 14th amendment was instilled to protect the rights to abortion in all 50 states making them safer and more accessible for women.

  • Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood

    Congress gains the ability to ban second-trimester abortion procedures in order to protect patients health

  • S. B. 8

    Texas implemented a law (S. B. 8) that bans abortion approximately 6 weeks after conception

  • Roe v. Wade is overturned

    Abortions have been banned in roughly half of the states.