Roe vs. Wade

Norma McCorvey was raped by a carnival worker in Augusta, Georgia, and in her home state of Texas, could not obtain an abortion. She took her case to two inexperienced, young lawyers, Sara Weddington and Linda Coffee. Before taking her case to court, Norma took on the fictitious name, Jane Roe.
Before Roe vs. Wade, only four states, and Washington D.C. had easy access to abortion. Desperate women, who couldn't afford to travel, would abort the fetus themselves, with hangers or the like, or would go to back- alley abortionists. This would often lead to sterility, health problems and in some cases, even death. The only time a woman didn't have a big problem obtaining an abortion was if her life was in danger.
Roe's initial action was against the Dallas District Attorney, Henry Wade. Her case was first argued before the Supreme Court in December of 1971. It was then re-argued in October 1972. In January 1973 the court ruled 7/2 in Roe's favor. By the time her case had reached court she had already given birth, and put her baby up for adoption.
As the case progressed, Linda Coffee had taken a lesser role, but still involved herself a little bit. Weddington, however, was a thorough researcher, and a quick learner. She argued that Roe's right to privacy, guaranteed by the 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 14th amendments were being violated. In ruling, the Supreme Court stated that a female could terminate their pregnancies in whatever way, time and for whatever reason that they, alone, choose. It was also stated that the court couldn't decide when life begins.
Harry Blackmun, a conservative, Republican justice, was asked to write the majority opinion on the case. He devised the trimester system. It limited state regulations on abortion. In the first trimester, the state cannot interfere. Regulation is allowed after the second trimester to protect the mother's health. After the third trimester, regulation is allowed to protect fetal life, except when the mother's health and/or life are in danger.
After Roe, nearly all laws regulating abortion weren't enforceable. A female did not have to have the consent of the father's child. In some states, minors did not have to obtain parental consent. In 1976, congress did make it harder for poor women to receive abortions by passing the Hyde Amendment.
In the 1980s, after Ronald Reagan was elected president, the pro-life movement was revived. By the early 1990s, after Reagan and George Bush Sr., there were many laws restricting abortion. In some states there is a mandatory waiting period before a female is allowed to have an abortion. Some states also have laws, which make it so that minors have to receive consent before the get an abortion, or at least tell their parents about the pregnancy. In some cases, the parental notification can be overturned, but you have to receive an order from a judge. You, luckily, do not have to receive consent from the father, even if you are married. Partial birth abortion has recently become illegal, thanks to George Bush Jr.

This essay is based on extensive research. Please feel free, to use this as research, but DON'T copy the whole thing. And when reviewing, please refrain from being a complete asshole.