The Revolution in Birth Control and the Rise of the Beats

These flashcards cover key figures, concepts, and movements associated with the revolution in birth control and the emergence of countercultural movements in America.

Margaret Sanger

A pioneer in birth control advocacy who partnered with Catherine McCormick to promote sex education and contraception.

Catherine McCormick

A wealthy contributor who helped fund Margaret Sanger’s birth control initiatives.

Comstock Laws

Laws that prohibited the distribution of contraceptive information and materials, named after Anthony Comstock.

The Woman Rebel

A newspaper founded by Margaret Sanger that focused on women's rights and birth control advocacy.

Howell

A poem by Allen Ginsberg that became a manifesto for the Beat Generation, reflecting their values and struggles.

Beat Generation

A literary and social movement in the 1950s characterized by a rejection of mainstream values and an embrace of alternative lifestyles.

Birth Control Pill

A contraceptive pill that became a symbol of women's rights and reproductive freedom, developed with the help of scientists like Rudy Pincus.

Searle Laboratories

A pharmaceutical company that was hesitant to invest in contraceptive research led by Pincus due to social sensitivities.

Liberal Arts

A field of study that emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, often connected with the Beat writers' focus on personal expression.

Free Love

A social movement advocating for the freedom to engage in relationships without traditional constraints, heavily advocated by Margaret Sanger.

Venerable Caroline

A title or a name often used humorously in sexual discourse during the counterculture era.

Nixon

The American politician who rose to prominence in the 1950s and navigated a complex political landscape, embodying the contradictions of his era.

Eisenhower Administration

The U.S. presidential administration from 1953-1961 during which Richard Nixon served as vice president.

Radical Feminism

A movement that sought to address and dismantle patriarchal systems, with figures like Sanger at the forefront.

Progressive Era

A period of social activism and political reform in the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s, impacting women's rights.

Urban Poor

A demographic often lacking access to fundamental health and education resources, deeply influenced by Sanger's work.

Anarchism

A political philosophy advocating for stateless societies, reflected in the personal beliefs of figures like Sanger.

Feminism

The advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality of the sexes, central to the work of Margaret Sanger.

Social Commentary

The act of expressing opinions on issues in society, a theme prevalent in the writing of Beat Generation authors.

Counterculture

A cultural movement that rejected the established norms, often associated with the Beat Generation.