An examination of affirmative action and its history. It provides 395 documents, from government reports to cartoons, that trace its roots and development, and outline the arguments both for and against affirmative action as it pertains to race, gender and disability.

Examining affirmative action and its history through these 400 documents that trace its roots and development, this work is an invaluable reference resource. Race, gender, and disability, as they pertaing to affirmative action, are also explored. By providing a thorough presentation of the arguments both for and against, this reference encourages critical thinking as it details the ins and outs of the debate. From government reports to cartoons, high school and college students will find multiple perspectives on affirmative action. They can view the issue through the eyes of law-makers, judges, presidents, activists, the media, social scientists, those who have benefited from it, and those who have been threatened by it. They can also discover its application in a myriad of disciplines from sports to education to business to the arts. An explanatory introduction precedes each document to aid readers in understanding the various arguments that have been put forth in this debate, providing the researcher with accessible references to all sides of the subject.

Preface
Introduction
Part I: 1845-1900 Affirmation Of, and Limitations On, The Citizenship Status of African Americans, Women and the Disabled, in Legislative Action, Judicial Rulings, and Public Policy Decisions
Part II: 1900-1963 "Affirmative Action," Early Usage of the Term and Foreshadowing in Executive Orders, Judicial Rulings, and State and Federal Laws
Progressivism and World War I
The 1920s
The 1930s
World War II
Post-War Era
The Eisenhower Administration
The Kennedy Era
Part III: 1964-1972
The Administration of Lyndon Johnson
The Administration of Richard Nixon
The Final Nixon Years
The Interim Years of Gerald Ford: The Administration of Jimmy Carter
The Reagan-Bush Years
Administration of William Jefferson Clinton
Bibliography
Index.