Arizona's 1864 abortion ban was mostly a result of power struggles, historians say

The 1864 abortion ban in Arizona stemmed from complex power struggles as male physicians sought dominance over midwives in healthcare, while anti-abortion sentiments rose amid demographic shifts.

The formation of the American Medical Association in 1847 bolstered physicians' authority and contributed to a broader push for abortion restrictions, aligning with societal anxieties.

Arizona's law criminalized abortion before fetal movement detection, reflecting national trends driven by the AMA's desire for more power.

Despite evolving stances on abortion, contemporary restrictions leave physicians uncertain, highlighting ongoing challenges in reproductive healthcare policy and underscoring the gendered nature of such laws, amid historical limitations in medical knowledge and technology.