The Comstock Act

The Comstock Act, enacted in 1873, was a federal law that prohibited the mailing or distribution of obscene materials, including contraceptives and abortion information. It aimed to curb what was considered immoral content, reflecting the era's moral attitudes. The law made it illegal to send or receive such materials through the U.S. Postal Service, effectively restricting access to contraception and reproductive health information. Over time, parts of the act were challenged and repealed, but it played a significant role in shaping early reproductive rights restrictions in the United States.