American Exceptionalism How do we explain America? In US, by 19th century public executions were gradually outlawed European states abolished capital punishment after WWIl UK 1973, France 1981, germany 1987 Last executions occurred well before death penalty formally taken off the statue book In US, peaked in 1930s, declined through the 1960s Judicial moratorium suspended executions from 1968 to1976. Executions resumed in the us after 1977American Exceptionalism • How do we explain America? – In US, by 19th century public executions were gradually outlawed – European states abolished capital punishment after WWII • UK 1973, France 1981, Germany 1987. • Last executions occurred well before death penalty formally taken off the statue book. – In US, peaked in 1930s, declined through the 1960s – Judicial moratorium suspended executions from 1968 to 1976. – Executions resumed in the US after 1977