Eighth Amendment Over Time Graphic Organizer
A graphic organizer to engage students with the historical treatment of the death penalty from Jamestown Colony through the 21st century.
Guiding Question
- How have different states applied the Eighth Amendment to the death penalty for convicted criminals?
- How has the Supreme Court interpreted the Constitution in death penalty decisions made in states?
Objectives
- I can explain how the concept of cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment has been applied over time at the state and federal levels.
Directions: Complete the graphic organizer following the instructions given by your teacher. Please note the first two are pre-constitutional, therefore pre-Eighth Amendment.
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Prompt |
Description |
Connection to justice, federalism and change over time |
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1612 Jamestown, Virginia |
Captain James Kendall was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad. Historians give different accounts for the crime that Kendall committed, either mutiny or espionage with Spain. |
Any attempt to overthrow a government or aid an enemy is taken very seriously, especially when a colony is brand new like Jamestown was at this time. Instituting a system of justice that punished serious crimes to preserve the stability of the colony like Kendall’s was seen by many as necessary. |
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1632 James City, Virginia |
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1834 Pennsylvania |
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1846 Michigan |
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1878 Wilkerson v. Utah |
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1888 New York |
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1924 Nevada |
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1972 Furman v. Georgia |
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1976 Gregg v. Georgia |
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2002 Atkins v. Virginia |
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2005 Roper v. Simmons |