Why the states abolish and reinstate the death penalty when the United States entered the 20th Century
Why did the states abolish and reinstate the death penalty when the United States entered the 20th Century?
One comprehensive and concise paragraph will answer the question properly
Grammar and diction are important
Post two additional comments to two other students, it will promote a holistic learning approach to the topic discussed
The early 20th century in the US saw a wave of abolition followed by reinstatement of the death penalty, reflecting a clash of social values and anxieties. The Progressive Era (roughly 1890-1920) emphasized reform, and some states abolished capital punishment questioning its effectiveness and morality. However, this era also saw fear of radicalism and a rise in violent crime, leading many of these same states to reinstate the death penalty by 1920, believing it deterred crime and provided a just punishment.
Additional comments for your classmates:
- For Student X: You mentioned lynchings being a factor in the reinstatement of the death penalty. That's a very interesting point! It would be interesting to learn more about how the threat of lynching influenced public opinion and policy changes.
- For Student Y: Is there anything you've learned about the economic factors that might have played a role in these decisions? Some research suggests that economic prosperity might have influenced decisions to abolish the death penalty.