Plain English with Derek Thompson The 300-Year History of Abortion in America—in 30 Minutes
May 6, 2022
Mary Ziegler, a visiting professor at Harvard and an expert on abortion history, teams up with Karissa Haugeberg, a Tulane professor, to unpack the complex 300-year narrative of abortion in America. They discuss how early abortion practices were viewed differently and the significant shifts leading to Roe v. Wade. The conversation highlights the political reshaping of abortion rights, especially within the Republican Party, and what the future may hold for reproductive rights post-Roe. It's a compelling blend of history and current implications.
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Abortion in the 1700s
- Abortion was not a controversial topic in the 1700s, and it wasn't mentioned in any federal documents.
- Legislators didn't consider it relevant, and the concept of gender wasn't in the Constitution until 1868.
Quickening and Early Abortion Laws
- Early abortion laws centered on "quickening," the moment a woman felt fetal movement.
- Before quickening, abortion was largely uncontroversial, even advertised in popular media.
The AMA's Role
- The AMA, formed in 1847, played a role in shifting abortion's perception.
- Physician Horatio Storer campaigned against abortion, portraying midwives as dangerous and white women as selfish for seeking abortions.
