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The death penalty first appeared in ancient China. These laws were written in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon. The law included 25 crimes however, murder was excluded.
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In Egypt the first recorded death from the penalty occurred. The man was a noble accused of participating in witchcraft. The man was forced to commit suicide since the usual execution was for non-nobles with an axe.
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Jane Champion and Captain George Kendall were the first woman and man executed in the new colonies. Jane received the death penalty for murder. Captain George Kendall received the death penalty for spying. Both occurred in Virginia.
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Michigan was the first state to abolish the death penalty for all crimes except treason. However, no one was executed under this law. In 1962 treason was included in the abolishment.
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In Auburn, New York, William Kemmler was the first person executed by electrocution. He murdered his wife, Matilda. The charge was approximately 700 volts.
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Between 1907 and 1917 nine states abolish the death penalty for all crimes. These states included Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Oregon.
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The movement was losing support while the death penalty was gaining it. Criminologists came out with information convincing everyone the death penalty is necessary. People were also focused on the great depression and prohibition.
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in the 1930s the execution process skyrocketed (the highest levels in American history) The amount of deaths from execution averaged about 167 per year. That's almost equal to how many people were wrongfully executed.
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In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly announced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (the “right to life.”) This claims that "everyone's right to life shall be protected by the law." No one shall be deprived of their life intentionally.
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In 1966 a Gallup poll was conducted and the results showed an all time low of 42%. In 1936 the same poll was conducted and revealed 59% favored it. The change was drastic and hasn't really wavered since.