Difference between revisions of "Guillotine"
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[[Image:guillotine.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Lithograph of a guillotine used in Denmark]] | [[Image:guillotine.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Lithograph of a guillotine used in Denmark]] | ||
'''Guillotine''' is a word of [[French]] origin for a device used in [[execution]]s. Most guillotines have a heavy blade that is attached to a tall frame. The blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the victim's head. | '''Guillotine''' is a word of [[French]] origin for a device used in [[execution]]s. Most guillotines have a heavy blade that is attached to a tall frame. The blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the victim's head. | ||
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| + | The Guillotine was one of the symbols of the French Revolution, being widely used during the Jacobin Reign of Terror. Those who didn't submit to [[Robespierre]]'s [[leftist]] ideology, or even those who ere merely accused of subversion, were executed through it. The guillotine remained a tool of [[capital punishment]] in France until its last usage in 1977, with the execution of murderer Hamida Dandjoubi. | ||
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| + | The guillotine's use wasn't limited to France. It saw somewhat of a revival during the rule of German [[Nazi|National]] [[Socialism]], being the execution method for dissenters after a mock trial. The [[White Rose]] resistence leaders were executed through it. | ||
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| + | Among famous victims of the guillotine figure [[Louis XVI]], [[Marie Antoiniette]], [[Sophie Scholl]] and [[Hans Scholl]]. | ||
Revision as of 16:37, December 16, 2009
Guillotine is a word of French origin for a device used in executions. Most guillotines have a heavy blade that is attached to a tall frame. The blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the victim's head.
The Guillotine was one of the symbols of the French Revolution, being widely used during the Jacobin Reign of Terror. Those who didn't submit to Robespierre's leftist ideology, or even those who ere merely accused of subversion, were executed through it. The guillotine remained a tool of capital punishment in France until its last usage in 1977, with the execution of murderer Hamida Dandjoubi.
The guillotine's use wasn't limited to France. It saw somewhat of a revival during the rule of German National Socialism, being the execution method for dissenters after a mock trial. The White Rose resistence leaders were executed through it.
Among famous victims of the guillotine figure Louis XVI, Marie Antoiniette, Sophie Scholl and Hans Scholl.