People have been humiliated, mutilated and killed -daily were atrocities in the name of the law commited. Reigns of terror invented methods, which brought the inhuman aspect in man to light. The victims suffered from unbelieveable pains. And still today there exist methods, which mean torture and pain for the offenders as well as for the victims - even in the USA. The history of capital punishment in the territory which is now known as the USA starts in the 17th Century, when the American colonies imposed the death sentence not only for 14 offenses as England prescribed it, but also for fewer crimes. The first known execution was of Daniel Frank. He was put to death in 1622 in the Colony of Virginia for the crime of theft.
In the 19th century politics and advances of technology influenced the use of the death penalty a lot. On August, 6, 1890 murderer William Kemmler was the first person, who has been executed in the electric chair. After a short-lived abolition movement which led to the repeat of numerous state death penalty statutes in 1900, Kansas was the first state who abolished capital punishment in 1907. Eight more states followed suit over the next 10 years. Then two sensational murder cases restarted the debate over the death penalty in the 1920s. As a result of this a time of death penalty support followed. For example two Italian immigrants were electrocuted in Massachusetts for two murders. Finally the peak of the U.S. executions was reached in the 1930s, averaging 167 a year.
The decline of executions in the 1960s was caused by growing doubts about the death penalty. That means that after Luis Jose Monge who died in the gas chamber at Colorado State Penitentiary, an unofficial moratorium on executions began.
The 1970s was an eventful decade for capital punishment. It first saw the death penalty canceled and then reinstated.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Chronology of Capital Punishment in the USA
1.2 Recent Development
2. The Offender
2.1 Execution Methods
2.2 Irrationally Committed Murder
2.3 Poor Offenders - no good Lawyer
2.4 Discrimination
3. The Victims
3.1 The People who Have close Contact with the Offenders on Death Row
3.1.1 The Relatives of the Offender
3.1.2 Attendants
3.1.3 Spiritual Advisers
3.1.4 Doctors
3.2 Selection of Execution Witnesses
3.3 Forgiveness and Grief
3.4 The Death Penalty in Retaliation
4. The State
4.1 The Death Penalty vs. Human Rights
4.2 The State's Aims Concerning the Death Penalty
4.2.1 The Death-Penalty - Judicial Murder?
4.2.2.The Death Penalty as Deterrence
4.3 Functionalisation of the Death Penalty
4.3.1 Problems of the Judicative
4.3.2 The Public Opinion
4.3.3 Judicial Room for Manoeuvre
4.4 Without Parole vs. Death Penalty
5. Conclusion - The Death Penalty: A View of Opposition
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to critically analyze the practice of capital punishment in the United States, examining its moral, ethical, and practical implications. The work investigates the systemic failures of the justice system, the dehumanizing effects on all parties involved in the execution process, and the lack of evidence supporting the death penalty as an effective deterrent against violent crime.
- The history and recent developments of capital punishment in the U.S.
- The socioeconomic and racial biases inherent in death sentencing.
- The psychological and ethical impact on offenders, victims' families, and prison personnel.
- The role of political motivations and judicial discretion in the application of the death penalty.
- The effectiveness of alternatives such as life imprisonment without parole.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Chronology of Capital Punishment in the USA
People have been humiliated, mutilated and killed - daily were atrocities in the name of the law commited. Reigns of terror invented methods, which brought the inhuman aspect in man to light. The victims suffered from unbelieveable pains. And still today there exist methods, which mean torture and pain for the offenders as well as for the victims - even in the USA.
The history of capital punishment in the territory which is now known as the USA starts in the 17th Century, when the American colonies imposed the death sentence not only for 14 offenses as England prescribed it, but also for fewer crimes. The first known execution was of Daniel Frank. He was put to death in 1622 in the Colony of Virginia for the crime of theft.
In the 19th century politics and advances of technology influenced the use of the death penalty a lot. On August, 6, 1890 murderer William Kemmler was the first person, who has been executed in the electric chair. After a short-lived abolition movement which led to the repeat of numerous state death penalty statutes in 1900, Kansas was the first state who abolished capital punishment in 1907. Eight more states followed suit over the next 10 years. Then two sensational murder cases restarted the debate over the death penalty in the 1920s. As a result of this a time of death penalty support followed. For example two Italian immigrants were electrocuted in Massachusetts for two murders. Finally the peak of the U.S. executions was reached in the 1930s, averaging 167 a year.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Provides a historical overview of capital punishment in the United States, tracing its evolution from colonial times through the 20th century, including key Supreme Court rulings.
2. The Offender: Examines the various methods of execution and addresses the systemic issues regarding the sentencing of mentally ill, juvenile, and impoverished offenders, as well as the role of racial discrimination.
3. The Victims: Explores the emotional and psychological impact of executions on those in close contact with the condemned, including family members, spiritual advisers, and medical personnel, while discussing religious and retaliatory perspectives.
4. The State: Analyzes the political functionalization of the death penalty, the influence of public opinion, the lack of deterrent evidence, and the comparative costs and viability of life without parole as an alternative.
5. Conclusion - The Death Penalty: A View of Opposition: Synthesizes the author's arguments against capital punishment, advocating for a shift in focus toward social programs and crime prevention rather than state-sanctioned retribution.
Keywords
Capital Punishment, Death Penalty, United States, Human Rights, Execution Methods, Judicial System, Racial Discrimination, Deterrence, Life Without Parole, Retribution, Moral Implications, Ethics, Criminal Justice, Social Reform, Victims' Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper provides a critical examination of capital punishment in the United States, arguing that it is a cruel and ineffective form of justice that should be abolished.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the history of executions, the systemic biases against poor and minority defendants, the psychological toll on those involved in the process, and the political manipulation of crime policy.
What is the central research question?
The author seeks to demonstrate why the death penalty fails as a tool for justice or deterrence, emphasizing its ethical contradictions and the availability of more humane, effective alternatives.
What methodology does the author employ?
The study uses a qualitative analysis approach, relying on historical data, legal case studies, psychological perspectives, and contemporary statistical research to build its argument against the death penalty.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers everything from historical timelines and execution methods to the influence of political pressure on judges and the financial burden of death penalty cases versus life imprisonment.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The most relevant keywords include capital punishment, human rights, judicial system, racial discrimination, deterrence, and life without parole.
How does the author characterize the role of politicians regarding the death penalty?
The author argues that politicians often use the death penalty for "political grandstanding" to appear "tough on crime," frequently ignoring the truth about its lack of deterrent effect and its exorbitant costs.
What point is made regarding the medical profession and executions?
The work highlights the moral dilemma faced by doctors, noting that their participation in executions directly contradicts the Hippocratic Oath to save lives, essentially forcing them to act as instruments of the state in "legalized murder."
- Quote paper
- Monika Welzmüller (Author), 2000, The death penalty - legal cruelty, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/109738
