Roe v Wade is a landmark decision made by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1973. It ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. The decision was made by a vote of 7-2, but who exactly voted on Roe v Wade? In this article, we will explore the justices who voted on the case and their backgrounds.
Chief Justice Warren E. Burger
Chief Justice Warren E. Burger was appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1969. He was known for his conservative views and was expected to rule against Roe v Wade. However, he surprised many by joining the majority opinion. Burger believed that the right to privacy, which had been established in previous Supreme Court cases, included a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.
Justice William O. Douglas
Justice William O. Douglas was the longest-serving justice in the history of the Supreme Court. He was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 and served until 1975. Douglas was a strong advocate for civil liberties and believed that the Constitution protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.
Justice William J. Brennan Jr.
Justice William J. Brennan Jr. was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. He was a leading liberal voice on the Supreme Court and believed that the Constitution protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. Brennan wrote a concurring opinion in Roe v Wade, in which he argued that the right to privacy was a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.
Justice Potter Stewart
Justice Potter Stewart was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. He was considered a moderate on the Supreme Court and had a reputation for being independent-minded. In Roe v Wade, Stewart joined the majority opinion, but he wrote a separate concurring opinion in which he expressed his belief that the decision should have been based on the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, rather than the right to privacy.
Justice Byron R. White
Justice Byron R. White was appointed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. He was known for his strict interpretation of the Constitution and his opposition to judicial activism. In Roe v Wade, White was one of the two dissenting justices. He believed that the decision should have been left to the states to decide and that the Constitution did not protect a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.
Justice Thurgood Marshall
Justice Thurgood Marshall was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967. He was the first African American justice on the Supreme Court and was a strong advocate for civil rights. Marshall joined the majority opinion in Roe v Wade and believed that the Constitution protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.
Justice Harry A. Blackmun
Justice Harry A. Blackmun was appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1970. He wrote the majority opinion in Roe v Wade and is often credited with being the driving force behind the decision. Blackmun believed that the Constitution protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion and that the decision should be left to the woman and her doctor, free from government interference.
Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.
Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. was appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He was considered a moderate on the Supreme Court and often acted as a swing vote. In Roe v Wade, Powell joined the majority opinion, but he wrote a separate concurring opinion in which he expressed his belief that the decision should have been based on the right to privacy rather than the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Conclusion
The justices who voted on Roe v Wade came from diverse backgrounds and held a range of different beliefs. However, the majority of the justices believed that the Constitution protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, and this belief has had a profound impact on American society. Today, Roe v Wade remains a controversial issue, with many people on both sides of the debate continuing to fight for their beliefs.