Political and Social Climate In the 1950s through 1970s the United States would undergo some of the most social change it has ever experienced. Issues with the America’s current society would be brought forth by minority groups: African-Americans, women, and peace makers were advocating for major change during this time …show more content…
Burger attended University of Minnesota. Afterward he studied at the William Mitchell College of Law [then known as St. Paul College of Law] and graduated magna cum laude in 1931. Although his career started off relatively slow, he soon advanced to national eminence. Because he was a strong supporter of the Republican party, he played a key role in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s campaign for president in 1952. Eisenhower later thanked Burger by appointing him Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division of the Justice Department. Fifteen years later, in 1969, President Nixon appointed Warren E. Burger to the position of Chief Justice in the United States Supreme Court. Burger had captured Nixon’s attention when he wrote a letter of support during the Fund Crisis of 1952, and again when U.S. News and World Report reprinted a speech of Burger’s that was given at Ripon College. In this speech, Burger compared the judicial systems of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Several speeches like this one portrayed Burger as an advocate for literal, strict-constructionist reading of the U.S. Constitution. Burger served as Chief Justice from 1969 to 1986. Although he was a conservative, and delivered numerous conservative decisions during his tenure, he made very liberal decisions in cases like Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education [a case in 1969 dealing with desegregation], Eisenstadt v. Baird [a case in 1972 dealing with legalization of birth control]. Although Burger was a strong conservative by opinion, he believed he was, “supposed to interpret the constitution, not rule decisions based on his personal opinion.” This belief persuaded his vote with the majority in legalizing a woman’s right to an