Register

In colonial america, a pickpocket might have had a hand cut off as punishment. why was this particular method of punishment chosen?

In colonial america, a pickpocket might have had a hand cut off as punishment. why was this particular method of punishment chosen?
asked 165k views
4 votes
In colonial america, a pickpocket might have had a hand cut off as punishment. why was this particular method of punishment chosen?

asked
User Chuchoo
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

6 votes
It was a manner of symbolic punishment. Since the hand was the offending part that led to the crime, it was felt that it was appropriate to remove this as a way of deterring the person from doing the same thing in the future.
answered
User Mohamed Rahouma
by
8.1k points
← Prev Question Next Question →

Related questions

Ask a Question
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.

Categories

Other Questions

Who was the boy who  became king at the age of 9?
Why did people immigrate to the United States in the late 1800s?
In the peaceful period of the Middle Kingdom, what area of culture thrived?
Link Copied!