APUSH: Period 8, 1945-1980 - The Women's Movement, NOW, ERA, Roe v Wade

Why This Matters

The Women's Movement, which emerged in the mid-20th century, is a pivotal aspect of American history that highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights and equality. This movement is significant for understanding the larger period of American history, particularly in relation to the AP theme of Politics and Power. The Women's Movement demonstrates how social and cultural changes can lead to significant shifts in the balance of power and challenge traditional norms. Key events and figures from this period, such as the National Organization for Women (NOW), the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, showcase the complexities and nuances of the movement.

Key Events & People

• Betty Friedan (1921-2006): A leading figure in the Women's Movement, Friedan's book "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) helped spark the movement by highlighting the limitations placed on women's roles in society.
• National Organization for Women (NOW) (1966): Founded by Friedan and others, NOW became a powerful advocacy group for women's rights, pushing for equal pay, reproductive rights, and an end to sex discrimination.
• Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) (1923, proposed; 1972, passed by Congress): This amendment aimed to guarantee equal rights for women under the law, but it fell short of ratification by the necessary three-fourths of the states.
• Roe v. Wade (1973): The Supreme Court's decision in this case established a woman's right to choose an abortion, marking a significant victory for reproductive rights and women's autonomy.
• Gloria Steinem (1934-present): A prominent feminist and journalist, Steinem co-founded Ms. magazine (1971) and became a leading voice for women's rights and social justice.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964): This landmark legislation prohibited employment discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, or religion, paving the way for future feminist activism.
• Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005): The first African American woman elected to Congress (1968), Chisholm was a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice, running for president in 1972.
• The Combahee River Collective (1974-1980): A radical feminist group, the Combahee River Collective emphasized the intersectionality of women's experiences, highlighting the connections between racism, sexism, and classism.
• The Women's Strike for Equality (1970): Organized by NOW and other feminist groups, this nationwide strike drew attention to women's rights and sparked a wave of feminist activism.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The publication of Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) helped galvanize the Women's Movement by highlighting the limitations placed on women's roles in society.
• Effect: The emergence of NOW (1966) and other feminist groups led to increased activism and advocacy for women's rights.
• Long-term consequence: The Women's Movement contributed to significant changes in American society, including the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade (1973).

Essential Vocabulary

• *Feminism*: A social and political movement that advocates for women's rights and equality.
• *Patriarchy*: A social system in which men hold power and authority over women.
• *Intersectionality*: The idea that women's experiences are shaped by multiple factors, including racism, sexism, and classism.
• *Reproductive rights*: The right to control one's own reproductive health, including access to birth control and abortion.
• *Sexism*: Discrimination or prejudice against women based on their sex.
• *Title VII*: A provision of the Civil Rights Act (1964) that prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, or religion.
• *ERA*: The Equal Rights Amendment, proposed in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, which aimed to guarantee equal rights for women under the law.
• *NOW*: The National Organization for Women, founded in 1966 to advocate for women's rights and equality.
• *Roe v. Wade*: A landmark Supreme Court case (1973) that established a woman's right to choose an abortion.
• *Feminine mystique*: A term coined by Betty Friedan to describe the societal expectations placed on women to prioritize domesticity and motherhood.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the ERA with the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
• Correction: The ERA was proposed in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, but it fell short of ratification by the necessary three-fourths of the states.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that the Women's Movement began with the passage of the ERA.
• Correction: The Women's Movement emerged in the mid-20th century, with key events and figures such as Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) and the founding of NOW (1966).
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that Roe v. Wade was the first Supreme Court case to address reproductive rights.
• Correction: Roe v. Wade (1973) was a landmark case that established a woman's right to choose an abortion, but it built on earlier cases such as Griswold v. Connecticut (1965).

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Women's Movement in shaping American society and politics from the 1960s to the 1980s. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the ERA, Roe v. Wade, and the founding of NOW.
  • Specific evidence: Cite the language of the ERA, the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, and the founding documents of NOW.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Women's Movement on the lives of American women, including their economic, social, and reproductive rights. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the passage of Title VII and the emergence of feminist groups.
  • Specific evidence: Cite the language of Title VII, the founding documents of feminist groups such as NOW and the Combahee River Collective, and the personal stories of women who were affected by the movement.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the name of the landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman's right to choose an abortion?
   • Answer: Roe v. Wade (1973)
   • Explanation: This case marked a significant victory for reproductive rights and women's autonomy.
2. Who was the founder of NOW?
   • Answer: Betty Friedan
   • Explanation: Friedan's book "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) helped spark the Women's Movement, and she co-founded NOW in 1966.
3. What was the name of the amendment that aimed to guarantee equal rights for women under the law?
   • Answer: The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
   • Explanation: The ERA was proposed in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, but it fell short of ratification by the necessary three-fourths of the states.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Women's Movement began in the 1960s, not the 1970s.
• The ERA was proposed in 1923, not 1963.
• Roe v. Wade was a landmark Supreme Court case (1973), not a law passed by Congress.
• NOW was founded in 1966, not 1970.
• The Combahee River Collective was a radical feminist group that emerged in the 1970s.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) prohibited employment discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, or religion.
• The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920.
• The Women's Strike for Equality was organized by NOW and other feminist groups in 1970.
• Betty Friedan's book "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) helped spark the Women's Movement.
• The ERA was passed by Congress in 1972, but it fell short of ratification by the necessary three-fourths of the states.