Capital Punishment Throughout the Ages...
Capital punishment has been in use for thousands of years, and has a very brutal history. The first known law regarding capital punishment is written in the code of King Hammurabi of Babylon. The code dates back to the 18th century BC and establishes 25 different crimes as being punishable by death punishment of death. These crimes include adultery and helping slaves escape. Some methods to serve the punishment were drowning at sea, beating to death, impalement, and crucifixion. One of the most famous crucifixions is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In the Middle ages, they had different, possibly more brutal methods. Pope Gregory IX established the Spanish Inquisition in 1233, to suppress heresy. Anyone who went against the Catholic church would be tortured and possibly killed. The torture devices used were especially painful and horrific, including the rack, which was designed to dislocate every one of the victim’s joints, and sometimes rip off the limbs, and the head crusher.
During the Middle Ages, torture usually accompanied executions. In the months of June to September of 1692, nineteen people were accused of witchcraft and were to be hung in a slope by Salem. Also in those months, many people were persecuted for witchcraft, and often time were put in jail with no trial. The years that followed that were years of reformation.
During the Middle Ages, torture usually accompanied executions. In the months of June to September of 1692, nineteen people were accused of witchcraft and were to be hung in a slope by Salem. Also in those months, many people were persecuted for witchcraft, and often time were put in jail with no trial. The years that followed that were years of reformation.
During the time of the first colonists, crimes such as robbery, counterfeiting, witchcraft, arson, slave rebellion, and some forms of lying were all punishable by death. The first sign of reformation in America was in 1776-1800. In 1823 five laws passed that made about 100 crimes death free. After
that, from 1832-1837, many other capital offenses were also abolished. In
1840 there was a failed attempt to completely abolish the death
penalty, once and for all.
Many laws since then have been passed. There are certain codes for each state, in the U.S., regarding the death penalty, all with it deciding what are the procedures.
Many laws since then have been passed. There are certain codes for each state, in the U.S., regarding the death penalty, all with it deciding what are the procedures.