Introduction
Roe v. Wade is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. It was decided on January 22, 1973, and since then, it has remained one of the most controversial cases in American legal history. The case established that a woman has a constitutional right to have an abortion, but that right is not absolute and can be limited by the state in certain circumstances. This article will discuss which justices voted for Roe v. Wade.
The Court's Decision
The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade was a 7-2 decision. Justice Harry Blackmun wrote the majority opinion, which was joined by Chief Justice Warren Burger and Justices William O. Douglas, William J. Brennan Jr., Potter Stewart, Thurgood Marshall, and Lewis F. Powell Jr.
Justice Harry Blackmun
Justice Harry Blackmun was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1970. He wrote the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade, which established a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1994 and passed away in 1999.
Chief Justice Warren Burger
Chief Justice Warren Burger was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1969. He joined the majority in Roe v. Wade and supported the decision. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1986 and passed away in 1995.
Justice William O. Douglas
Justice William O. Douglas was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. He joined the majority in Roe v. Wade and supported the decision. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1975 and passed away in 1980.
Justice William J. Brennan Jr.
Justice William J. Brennan Jr. was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. He joined the majority in Roe v. Wade and supported the decision. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1990 and passed away in 1997.
Justice Potter Stewart
Justice Potter Stewart was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. He joined the majority in Roe v. Wade and supported the decision. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1981 and passed away in 1985.
Justice Thurgood Marshall
Justice Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967. He joined the majority in Roe v. Wade and supported the decision. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1991 and passed away in 1993.
Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.
Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1972. He joined the majority in Roe v. Wade and supported the decision. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1987 and passed away in 1998.
Justices Who Dissented
Two justices dissented in Roe v. Wade. Justice Byron White wrote the dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice William Rehnquist. Justice White argued that the Constitution did not grant a right to abortion and that the issue should be left to the states to decide.
Conclusion
Roe v. Wade is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court that established a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. The decision was made by a 7-2 vote, with seven justices voting in favor of the decision and two justices dissenting. The seven justices who voted in favor of the decision were Justice Harry Blackmun, Chief Justice Warren Burger, Justice William O. Douglas, Justice William J. Brennan Jr., Justice Potter Stewart, Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.