At the end of the XIX century Mayne Reid in his "Headless Horseman" is very vividly described the violence of the crowd on the alleged offender.Readers felt sorry for the victim and bewilderment at the court without any investigation.
lynching took place in other countries, but only in the United States gained widespread.The country, the world dictates the image of a democratic society, shyly covered his eyes and turns his head away when its citizens were beaten, tortured, hanged and burned.
Lynching - what is it?Why is this possible in a "free" country?
definition
researchers of this question are two definitions:
- Right Lynch - a set of unspoken rules, which gave authority to lynching.Everyone wants to make lynching decides whether it has the right to do.Sometimes sheer innocence of the convicted person could not stop the mob.
- Lynching - the brutal corporal punishment, torture or murder of a man without investigation and sentencing by a court official.
Some scientists believe that lynching was not an American invention.This ruthless violence came to the New World on the English ships at the right time and came up stuck in the fertile soil.
Douse rebellious Scot hot tar, feathers and drag to drive under the hooting of the soldiers - the most common sport of English gentlemen.So they defended the right to be masters in someone else's country.And no one cared that the sacrifice "innocent fun" perished from burns.
Background
brought a lot of turmoil in the US Civil War.The northern and southern States pursue different goals.First craved democracy, human rights, the industrial development of the country.Southern planters did not want to give up ownership of the land and the people, to share profits, to obey someone else's orders.
result of the war became the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution and countless perplexed former slaves.As a rule, they were negros.Many did not want released.They were deprived of shelter, free food, clothes, and most importantly - secure work, which gave the right to rest.
For four years, the economy of the South confrontation declined.Cities are destroyed, trampled plantations, orchards burned, livestock stolen or eaten.Wealthy residents tried to get away from the horrors of war, many died on the battlefields.
deserters, unemployed, poor raided the farm in search of food.Former slaves begged to give them a job and provide shelter and protection, but the owners themselves to survive as best they could, and the extra mouths were not wanted.Joint
the new government did not have nothing to do with the needs of the free citizens.They took a decision of the higher problems than the device fates of former slaves.
To protect the lives of their loved ones and preserve the remnants of the property, returned from the war, southerners took matters into their own hands.They had one - arbitrarily to judge Lynch.What it is - an attempt to improve the justice system, help cleanse the country from thieves and concoctions or the brutal murder?The government tacitly encourages such behavior.
Founding Fathers
founders of American lynching advocate two people with the same surname Lynch.
One was a war and established his court at the time of the War of Independence, thus trying to maintain order and fight the enemies and criminals.The court of Charles Lynch was quick, but extremely fair as possible in wartime.The accused had the right to argue his innocence.
second - from the south planter William Lynch.Its share fell to restore order after the Civil War.His victims were exclusively negros.Some of the former slaves in their own way to understand the meaning of "freedom" and open confrontation with whites.Most simply wandered out of work and hunted in robbery and petty theft.
deterrent was the lynching.What is it - the massacre of the innocent or the protection of your family and property?Now, after a century and a half, it is difficult to objectively understand.
Advocates and opponents of the mob still can not come to a consensus.It is difficult to understand and appreciate each individual case.The current US judicial system of that time could hardly cope on their own with the rampant crime and tyranny.
followers lynching
Stormy activities founding fathers received not only the tacit approval of the government and citizens, but also gave rise to the followers.Since the end of XIX to the middle of the XX century here and there in the United States there were a group of people united by one idea.The main objective of these organizations - to judge Lynch.What is it - a way of expression, racial hatred or entertainment for bored gentlemen?
try to answer these questions on the example of the largest and most well-known groups.Each of them adhere to certain rules, it had its own structure, the ideological mastermind.
«Ku Klux Klan": base
most ambitious movements advocating lynching was "the Ku Klux Klan."Introduced for fun, the organization left a trail of blood the most in US history.
In 1865, veterans of the war among the Confederates, the offspring of the best families of Tennessee gathered in the building of the local court for a meeting of the Nativity.Six former officers were in a state of confusion.
American Civil War ended.Confederates fought for his principles, but were defeated and are now in the status of humiliated and persecuted.At the time, those who supported the interests of the South, had fewer rights than liberated from the slavery of blacks.
peaceful life was full of boring everyday problems that should be addressed in order to continue what their ancestors were engaged in their native land.
who first had the idea to organize a secret society, not known for certain.But the idea was proposed, and bored of concrete actions the young men caught her.So there was a "Brotherhood of the Golden Circle," which soon renamed the "Clan of the Circle."For more mystery began to use the abbreviation CCC.In three identical letters was a hint of magic.
«Ku Klux Klan" sounding reminded clatter of bones.Immediately there was a proposal to cover the horses, white cloths, and by dress up in robes with slits for eyes.
organization grew, fun games ended.Some of the new members proposed to administer justice.Secret Society decides to free the South from presumptuous federal and unrestrained Blacks.
started numerous lynchings.Blacks were hanged or burned without further ado, and for whites was invented ritual.On the neck of the accused he was put on a loop for hanging and he read out the charges imposed.Great choice of victim is not allowed.Or to admit his guilt and fulfill the requirements, or loop tightened.
government has taken care to isolate the founders of the "KKK", but to cease the persecution of blacks did not succeed.
subsequent revival of "KKK»
second wave "Ku Klux Klan" has risen after a quarter century.In America flashed a wave of lynchings in the role of judges and executioners were people in peaked caps and white robes.
In the second decade of the XX century the clan stopped killing.Now, they used sticks and resin from feathers.The government actively resisted mob justice.The culprits were condemned in the press, condemned to a public reprimand, but a law banning lynchings, and was not adopted.
Once in America began to defend the rights of blacks or other minorities, once there are people with closed white faces and began to burn crosses.
In the seventies, "KKK" last declared itself officially.But it was more like the use of attributes to remove unwanted politicians and economic competition.
John Birch Society
Another group of like-minded people for the return of Christian traditions and values.The persecutions were directed against the government, immigrants settling states, communist ideas.
Society is the most anemic, but at the same time numerous.From 1958 to 1961, the number of official members has grown from 12 people to 100 thousand.
With locations across the country, the leadership could hold at the same time in different cities manifestos show trials of public censure, to lobby for government bills.
eventually blew the head of the company, Welch, who at the time appeared paranoid ideas about the world communist conspiracy.Attempting to remove the leadership of Welch failed.Gradually work became less advertised, it is not completely moved into the corridors of power.
Jim Crow laws
In the early twentieth century in the United States adopted a number of legislative acts concerning the division of people by skin color.That they were called "Jim Crow laws".A man with the same name does not exist in real life.It was a theatrical character is poorly clothed, illiterate black.Subsequently, all the blacks came to be called by that name.
The law provides for people with different skin color scheme of parallel lives.They were divided into racial camps, and when the Negro mistakenly wandered back to where it was forbidden to be, it was waiting for the execution.Hanging was one of the most humane ways.
usually over the victim long mocked, beaten, stoned, burned.Under the distribution could get the family members of the accused and those who dare to stand up and save him.
excesses lasted almost half a century, until the government and the court did not recognize Jim Crow laws contrary to the US Constitution.
US government and lynching
Franklin Roosevelt at the time refused to openly deal with lynching, for fear of losing votes.
Harry Truman spent a lot of effort and years of explaining to Americans about the dangers of lynching.Ended attempts notice that the country "not anymore."
turns out lynchings in the United States - is a consequence of unsound legal and judicial system and the criminal connivance of the government?How often due to corruption of judges justified the criminals in the dock and got an innocent?
centuries maintained desires and whims of wealthy people.As a rule, they got away with it: a lynching, fights, buy senators and judges.One gets the impression that for a man with money there are no restrictions in the deeds.
US law provides for certain types of death for crimes of varying degrees of difficulty, but in the history of no vigilante not answer for the death of his life.
victims of lynching in the US
respectable Americans for 50 years managed to lynch about six thousand people.In some states, the massacre without trial turned into entertainment events.On the penalty came families.The presence of children and pregnant women does not bother anyone.
was decided to make postcards with scenes of lynching.Such greetings were sent for Easter, Christmas, birthday party.Under the lynching could get any: black, white, Jewish, Mexican.It makes no distinction between men and women are not taken into account even pregnancy.A membership in the trade unions or the Communists often cost lives.
angry mob destroyed the prison, set fire to homes, kidnapped their victims.In each case, the authorities were powerless.However, their failure to act can be considered a silent endorsement of vigilante actions.
I would like to elaborate on a few two egregious crimes.In one lynch animal, and in another deprived of innocent person.
Lynching animal
In the early XX century, killing a man on a whim few people are surprised.Life, especially black, inexpensive cost.Therefore, the fact of the tradition of lynching the animal has attracted attention.
Distinguished citizens of Tennessee.Circus troupe went on tour, used in rooms elephant named Mary.During entering the arena of animal rebelled against cruelty to her.Circus affected workers, although some sources claim that enraged elephant trampled a lot more people.
Spectators Soon the violence, the animal was shot revolvers, even more than her angry.The news of the elephant-killer instantly spread around the city.From the sheriff demanded immediate execution, but it was limited to the conclusion of Mary's cell.
Residents of nearby villages gathered in anticipation of a fun show.Uncontrolled crowd of more inflamed.Showered with threats against the owners of the circus.People (or nonhumans?) All night lit bonfires and demanded immediate punishment.
morning unhappy elephant hung on the building crane.And to make it was only the second time.A crowd of several thousand people singing and dancing, as if hanging in front of them is not an animal, and shining lights Christmas tree.
lynched by mistake
man during its existence has invented various kinds of death.Some are used to establish the truth, the other - for intimidation and subordination.The most hideous massacre, invented a beast called man is a lynching, especially when the victim is innocent.
factory manager from Georgia Leo Frank was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a minor.The accusation was based on the testimony of one man.
Gov. somehow found this punishment too harsh punishment and replaced by life imprisonment.Residents of the city resented that decision.The mob broke into the jail, Frank fought off the police and dragged around the city, hung near the graves of raped girls.
It took 70 years, and lynch the offender becoming a victim of slander.I found another witness, frightened by this rapist almost to death.He dared to tell the truth 10 years after the death of the murderer.
Leo Frank was acquitted, but the family received compensation, but this act does not justify any residents, will soon be executed, nor the representatives of the legitimate authorities who allowed lynching.
More recently, the US Senate has expressed sincere regret that the Government has committed acts of lynching in the country, and apologized to the victims and promised to prevent similar violent dramas.
probably before the law, it never comes.Even the president of the African-American would not dare such a thing.Total gold reserves in Fort Knox is not enough to compensate the descendants of people who were executed lynching.
