AMSCO AP United States History Exam (APUSH) – Period 9 Practice Test

The landmark case that deals with the legality of abortion in the United States is Roe v. Wade. Decided in 1973, this Supreme Court ruling established a woman's legal right to have an abortion under the constitutional right to privacy, which is derived from the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The court's decision effectively invalidated many state laws that restricted access to abortion, asserting that the government could not unduly interfere in a woman's decision regarding her pregnancy. This case set a significant legal precedent and has had lasting implications on abortion rights and women's reproductive health in the United States.

While other cases mentioned like Planned Parenthood v. Casey also address abortion, Roe v. Wade is foundational and is primarily recognized for its initial establishment of abortion rights. Bowers v. Hardwick and Loving v. Virginia are unrelated to abortion and focus on issues concerning privacy rights and interracial marriage, respectively.