Death Penalty Research Paper

The death penalty has changed throughout history- everything from ages of people who can be executed, places where it is and isn’t legal, and the actual method of execution itself. Instead of it being universally accepted like before, it is protested and some abolitionists have been successful in banning it in certain places.
Why was it so popular in history but now people try to stop it- are people of this generation more compassionate? Why do some places continue to execute children? Is there a connection between race and people who are executed?
Throughout history, the death penalty has been implemented all over the world. Stonings, hangings, beheadings- all forms of executions, and hundreds of years ago, all forms of entertainment. In Elizabethan times, beheadings were attended by everyone, upper and lower class. The lower class people even brought food along to the public spectacle (Elizabethan Crime and Punishment). In colonial times, hangings were also public events (History of the Death Penalty). Now, however, our society has evolved to a place where death is no longer considered something of entertainment.
Although the execution children under eighteen is illegal in the United States, some countries continue to do it. Since 1990, eight-one documented children have been executed all over the world-not to say that many aren’t executed and no one finds out. Even in America, almost a hundred people under eighteen are on death row, waiting until they turn eighteen and can legally be executed. Many of the countries who execute children do it just as they would for adults, and these cases that are documented show that some of these children are only thirteen or fourteen (Execution of Juvenile Offenders).
Many people have made the accusation that more black people are executed than white people. However, extensive studies show that while in the past this may have been a factor, it no longer plays a role in the death penalty. Since 1976, 56% of defendants were white, whereas only 35% were black (Death Penalty Info). These statistics prove that more white people have been executed that not only African Americans but other races as well.
After completing this research, I did find a lot of answers to my questions. I learned more about the history of the death penalty and how it has changed over time. I found out more information on the legal and illegal execution of minors. I also saw legitimate statistics that back up the theory that racism plays no role in who is executed and who isn’t.


1)"Elizabethan Crime and Punishment." Elizabethan Era. 16 May 2005. Web. 26 May 2010.

2)"National Statistics on Death Penalty and Race." Death Penalty Information Center.
1 July 2009. Web. 26 May 2010.

3)"Execution of Juvenile Offenders." Amnesty International. 2007. Web. 18 May 2010.

4)"History of the Death Penalty." Anti Death Penalty. 2004. Web. 18 May 2010.