Capital Punishment in the United States: A Documentary History

Author: Bryan Vila
Published: August 1997
ISBN: 0313299420
Hardcover Book
Number of Pages: 337

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Both sides of the highly charged capital punishment debate in the United States are examined in this breakthrough collection of 112 key documents, arranged by historical period. The political and social aspects of the debate are represented through a wide range of documents, including congressional hearings, Supreme Court decisions, position papers, biographical accounts, and news stories. An explanatory introduction precedes each document to help readers understand how various and seemingly unrelated social, economic and political factors have impacted public attitudes, legislation, and judicial decisions pertaining to capital punishment. A breakthrough collection of key documents in the history of the capital punishment debate in the United States. Examines political and social aspects of both sides of the capital punishment debate through historical documents from the colonial period to the 1990s, including congressional hearings, position papers, biographical accounts, Supreme Court decisions, and news stories. Documents are preceded by an introduction which explores how social economic and political factors have impacted public attitudes, legislation, and judicial decisions. .

Table of ContentsSeries Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Significant Dates in the History of Capital Punishment
Early Views on Capital Punishment: Colonial Era to Independence
The Abolition Movement Gains Ground, 1800-1917
War and Economic Depression Overshadow Capital Punishment, 1918-1959
Capital Punishment in the Courts, 1960-1976
The Debate Begins Anew, 1977-1989
The Death Penalty in the 1990s: Contemporary Issues
Glossary
Appendix A: Federal and State Capital Offenses in the United States
Appendix B: U.S. Executions: Colonial Times to 1995
Appendix C: Selected U.S. Supreme Court Cases
Appendix D: Capital Punishment Interest Groups and Related Organizations
Select Bibliography
Index

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