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Events Leading Up to Comstock
Before Comstock ever came into being, many "pro-life advocates" were already pushing for the end of "legal abortion." For instance, Dr. Horatio Storer established a national drive by the American Medical Association to end abortion, but 1st trimester abortion was still considered legal (although a misdemeanor) at this time. On that note, Connecticut had already passed the 1st law in the US that barred abortions after a "quickening" procedure became commonplace for women in their fourth month. -
The Comstock Law
This law was a federal acts based by Congress as an act fro the "suppression of trade in, and circulation of, obscene literature and articles of immoral use," including any form of contraception. The Act also made it a federal offense to disseminate birth control through the mail or across stateliness. In addition to this, anyone who violated the law would be severely punished, either by receiving up to five years in prison or a fine of $2000 dollars (which is about $35,112.35 today). -
"New York v. Margaret Sanger" US Supreme Court Case
After being charged with violating the Comstock Act, Sanger appealed to the Court and argued that the Act was a violation of both the federal and state constitutions. Unfortunately, the Court upheld Sanger's conviction under the "New York obscenity law," but this only pushed Sanger to launch a nationwide chain of doctor-staffed birth control clinics in the aftermath. Overall, this court case set the ball in motion when it came to the rise of the birth control movement.
