A gallows is a wooden frame used for executing people by hanging. It has been historically used for serious crimes and war criminals. Different types of gallows were built, some permanent and others temporary. The basic design involved a noose around the neck and a trapdoor opening to cause death. Many countries have switched to more humane methods of execution, such as lethal injection.
A gallows consists of a frame made of two vertical posts with a cross post placed between them, many feet above the ground. A gallows is used to execute people; individuals are hung around their necks by a rope connected to the gallows until they die. In general, the gallows is constructed of wood. Occasionally, they are also referred to as “hanging trees.” This is because a tree can easily perform the same function; a rope may be attached to a sturdy tree branch, and an individual may be hung from that rope.
Historically, the gallows has often been used by governments to execute prisoners who have committed serious crimes, although they are used less frequently in modern times. They were also commonly used in wartime to execute war criminals. Many countries have switched to what some perceive as more humane methods of execution, such as lethal injection. Other countries, such as some Middle Eastern countries, still use hanging as a means of execution. Saddam Hussein, for example, was hanged in Iraq in 2006 for crimes against humanity and other crimes, including some war crimes.
Many different types of gallows have been used throughout history. Some were built to be permanent and serve the dual purpose of executing prisoners and intimidating those still alive. They served as symbols of justice and power, ever-present reminders of the consequences of taking action against the rulers of any given area. Others were built to be temporary and tended to be used for execution only. Some temporary gallows were even designed to be carried to crime scenes.
The basic frame design was effective. In many cases the condemned person was led to a platform under the crossbeam. There, the noose was placed around his neck; the rope was also attached to the crossbeam. When the time came to execute the condemned man, a trapdoor opened under his feet and he fell. The rope tightened around his neck, and his momentum then tightened it quickly; either he died from breaking his neck or from strangulation after the fall.
The gallows was used as a relatively cheap and efficient means of execution. Over time, however, some people began to question the morality and humanity of execution by hanging. Many nations and societies have switched to other methods of execution, such as lethal injection or the electric chair. These methods are generally perceived as more humane, although they are much more expensive.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
