Crime and Slavery: A Comparative History of Capital Punishment and Slavery in the United States and Brazil

Introduction

In her groundbreaking book, Crime and Slavery, Maria Helena P. T. Machado offers a comparative history of capital punishment and slavery in the United States and Brazil. Machado argues that these two institutions were intimately connected, and that they played a central role in shaping the development of both countries.

Capital Punishment and Slavery in the United States

In the United States, capital punishment and slavery were both used to control and oppress African Americans. The death penalty was disproportionately applied to black people, and it was often used as a form of extrajudicial punishment. Similarly, slavery was a system of racial oppression that dehumanized and brutalized black people.

Capital Punishment and Slavery in Brazil

In Brazil, capital punishment and slavery were also closely linked. The death penalty was used to punish slaves who resisted their masters, and it was also used to terrorize the black population. Slavery, in turn, provided a pool of cheap labor that made the death penalty economically viable.

The Abolition of Slavery and the Death Penalty

The abolition of slavery in the United States and Brazil led to a decline in the use of the death penalty. In the United States, the death penalty was abolished in many states, and it was eventually declared unconstitutional in 1972. In Brazil, the death penalty was abolished in 1889.

The Legacy of Slavery and Capital Punishment

The legacy of slavery and capital punishment continues to shape the criminal justice systems of the United States and Brazil. In the United States, the death penalty is still disproportionately applied to black people, and it is often used in cases where there is little evidence of guilt. In Brazil, the death penalty has been reinstated in some states, and it is once again being used to target black people.

Conclusion

Crime and Slavery is a powerful and provocative book that offers a new perspective on the history of capital punishment and slavery in the United States and Brazil. Machado's work is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of race and crime in the Americas.

Why You Should Read This Book

Crime and Slavery is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of race and crime in the Americas. Machado's work is meticulously researched and beautifully written, and she offers a unique perspective on the relationship between capital punishment and slavery. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of the United States and Brazil.

Order Your Copy Today!

Crime and Slavery is available now from your favorite bookseller. Order your copy today and learn more about the dark history of capital punishment and slavery in the United States and Brazil.