Why Era Failed: Politics, Women's Rights, and the Amending Process of the Constitution

By Mary Frances Berry

Book Overview

Why ERA Failed looks at the systemic problems of politics and the amending process. The author, Mary Frances Berry, considers the behavior of the two sides from the perspective of a historian and lawyer. She describes the history of the amending process, from the Constitutional Convention to the present day, and its application to the struggles for amendments concerned with the status of blacks after the Civil War, income tax, prohibition, child labor, and woman suffrage.

Berry concludes that ERA approval was problematic at best and defeat predictable. Supporters did too little of what is required for ratification of a substantive proposal too late. Furthermore, the large number of state ratifications gained was deceptive. Support was eroding instead of increasing in the final stages of the campaign.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253204593
• ISBN13: 9780253204592
• Release Date: February 1988
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (Ips)
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.2" x 9.3"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A great resource!

This is a great resource on the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment). It focuses on what exactly the amendment was and what it was expected to accomplish. The author also focuses on the amendment process and why it failed in the United States. A great read, and a must read!

Fight Ignorance With The Truth!

This book is comprised of a number of short, thought-provoking radio reviews. Also looks at how women will never have equality and freedom as long as they cling to repressive religious ideas.