The History of the Death Penalty 英二 1 23 rd Feb. 2013

Summary These crimes could include first-degree murder and treason, or betraying one’s country. Capital punishment was brought to America by early settlers from Europe.

Summary In early America, people who were found guilty of murder and rape were routinely executed, either by hanging or by a firing squad. Convicted burglars, thieves, and even counterfeiters often received the death penalty.

Summary Criminals were victims of poverty, poor education, and lack of opportunity. Another reason for the change in thinking was economic. Prisons were very expensive. As society became richer during the Industrial Revolution, prisons became more affordable for society.

Summary Many northern states banned the death penalty except in the case of convicted murderers. The southern states kept the death penalty for many crimes. Most executions happen in the southern states. The southern states are considered more conservative than northern states. Death by injection is the standard form of execution.

New methods of verifying evidence, such as DNA testing, have helped free many death- row inmates. There is a chance that they may be innocent. Another argument against the death penalty is the high cost of executing a prisoner. Someone sentenced to die has the right to appeal the sentence several times.

Summary Despite the often-heated national debate, the majority of Americans are still in favor of the death penalty. Approximately 65 percent of Americans still believe that the death penalty is appropriate for crimes such as first-degree murder.

True or False ____ Capital punishment was brought to America by early settlers from Asia. ____ Convicted burglars, thieves, and even counterfeiters often received the death penalty. F T

True or False ____ Criminals were victims of poverty, poor education, and lack of opportunity ____ Another reason for the change in thinking was economic. Prisons were very cheap. F T

True or False ____ As society became richer during the Industrial Revolution, prisons became more affordable for society. ____ Many southern states banned the death penalty except in the case of convicted murderers. The northern states kept the death penalty for many crimes. T F

True or False ____ Because of the often-heated national debate, the majority of Americans don’t agree with the death penalty. ____ Most executions happen in the southern states. The southern states are considered more conservative than northern states. F T

True or False ____ New methods of verifying evidence, such as DNA testing, have helped free many death-row inmates. ____ Another argument against the death penalty is the low cost of executing a prisoner. F T