AUSOC 225 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Cesare Beccaria
1 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
Prior to the 18th century, theories about crime were inspired primarily by religious beliefs and superstitions. Tried to link criminality to evil spirits. If the government could brand you a witch, they could kill you and take your land. Land was the only thing that people really owned at this time. Women were scapegoats women were burned at the stake for a variety of reasons: sacrifice to the gods, people in society were pissed off in general. Women economically independent women (when the husband dies, land went to the woman) 85% of women burned at the stake were economically independent. Society started questioning burning people at the stake is fair. The elite (the government, the church, and the rich) started looking for other ways to justify burning at the stake and continue taking people"s land. First, the elite looked for backup from the public. Elite: she"s a witch! public: yes she is! that was enough.
