Why ERA Failed: Politics, Women's Rights, and the Amending Process of the Constitution (Everywoman: Studies in History, Literature, & Culture) - Softcover

Berry, Mary Frances

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0253204593 ISBN 13: 9780253204592

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 1988

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From Library Journal

The failure of the ERA to achieve ratification could have been predicted by a careful student of history, argues Berry (History, Law, Howard Univ.), a courageous member of the Civil Rights Commission. By examining other amendment campaigns Berry shows that timing is crucial; that consensus must be built state by state before Congress votes; and that the people must be convinced of the need for the amendment. ERA proponents were slow to appreciate the difficulties, and the strength of the opposition. Berry hopes the lessons of earlier amendment campaigns will yet be useful. Her message is compelling. Unfortunately, this important book is flawed by convoluted sentences and grammatical errors. Recommended with this reservation for public and academic libraries.Mary Drake McFeely, Smith Coll. Lib., Northampton, Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0253204593
• ISBN 13: 9780253204592
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 164