Capital Punishment |
The history of capital Punishment
Ancient History
Feuds between tribes were often settled with peace offerings which included offering a person for execution. This tribal system was based upon the tribe and not the perpetrator, so anyone could be executed over a quarrel. Written rules became common within tribes, and groups, to warn the people about the punishments given for certain laws broken. Early examples of executions used include crucifixion, stoning, and being burnt at the stake. These punishments were purposefully meant to be slow and very torturous.
Middle Ages
During the middle ages, Europe became one of the more common locations for the use of capital punishment. The death penalty was the main way of execution. The executions were always public and located within the towns and cities. The middle ages was a very dark and bloody time. This was the time of the witchcraft panic, so thousands of women, innocent or guilty, were being burnt alive because of suspicion. During the reign of King Henry VII, there were over 70,000 people executed. Ways of execution include being burnt at the stake, hanging, beheading, and impalement.
Modern Era
By this point in time, equality and citizenship had become important aspects in the United States. Because of this, people started trying to find more "humane" ways of execution. Executions were moved away from the public and into a private facility.
This was also the era states started to abolish the death penalty. However, the majority of the states kept capital punishment for slavery offenses. Execution methods include asphyxiation, bludgeoning, electrocution, hanging, and fire squad.
Feuds between tribes were often settled with peace offerings which included offering a person for execution. This tribal system was based upon the tribe and not the perpetrator, so anyone could be executed over a quarrel. Written rules became common within tribes, and groups, to warn the people about the punishments given for certain laws broken. Early examples of executions used include crucifixion, stoning, and being burnt at the stake. These punishments were purposefully meant to be slow and very torturous.
Middle Ages
During the middle ages, Europe became one of the more common locations for the use of capital punishment. The death penalty was the main way of execution. The executions were always public and located within the towns and cities. The middle ages was a very dark and bloody time. This was the time of the witchcraft panic, so thousands of women, innocent or guilty, were being burnt alive because of suspicion. During the reign of King Henry VII, there were over 70,000 people executed. Ways of execution include being burnt at the stake, hanging, beheading, and impalement.
Modern Era
By this point in time, equality and citizenship had become important aspects in the United States. Because of this, people started trying to find more "humane" ways of execution. Executions were moved away from the public and into a private facility.
This was also the era states started to abolish the death penalty. However, the majority of the states kept capital punishment for slavery offenses. Execution methods include asphyxiation, bludgeoning, electrocution, hanging, and fire squad.
Contemporary Era
Today, there are 32 states in the United States that still use the death penalty as an option of punishment. Even though capital punishment is still in use, the Supreme Court has passed two laws restricting the death penalty from being used in certain situations. First, the executions cannot be used on people suffering from mental illnesses. This is considered a "cruel and unusual punishment" which break the rules of the Eighth Amendment. The second restriction states that the death penalty cannot be sentenced to anyone ages 18 and under.
Types of execution still in use today include lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, firing squad, and hanging.
Today, there are 32 states in the United States that still use the death penalty as an option of punishment. Even though capital punishment is still in use, the Supreme Court has passed two laws restricting the death penalty from being used in certain situations. First, the executions cannot be used on people suffering from mental illnesses. This is considered a "cruel and unusual punishment" which break the rules of the Eighth Amendment. The second restriction states that the death penalty cannot be sentenced to anyone ages 18 and under.
Types of execution still in use today include lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, firing squad, and hanging.
Photos used under Creative Commons from beta pires, m01229