What was the punishment for Treason?
2007-08-01 14:47:06 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Which article of the Constitution is that in? the part about treason
2007-08-01 15:14:42 · update #1
Oh ok, I apologize, ya'll have already stated the article it is in, my apology.
2007-08-01 15:16:16 · update #2
Coragryph,
Well, it says the Congress has the power to declare the punishment of treason.
2007-08-02 17:15:06 · update #3
They stated it in the Constitution.
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted. "
2007-08-01 14:52:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Taking up arms against your own govt, or providing direct support to a hostile foreign govt -- or more broadly, helping someone else to directly attack your own govt.
The punishment was left up to the courts.
Article III Section. 3. "Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
2007-08-01 22:01:31 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let us look to Aaron Burr for the answer. Keep in mind that our Founders were themselves traitors to the British Crown. That being said, they found Aaron Burr to be a traitor because he actively sought to overthrow the government.
Benedict Arnold is another good example. He switched sides and fought against this nation.
So our Founders as in so many other decisions handled labeling someone a traitor with good common sense. Verbal dissent was not sufficient. To be a traitor one had to actively take up arms against the nation in order to earn the moniker of traitor.
And certainly Jefferson felt that true patriots must always stand ready to overthrow a government that betrayed the Constitutional principles of the US. Certainly he probably never would have foreseen the complacency of the American People who would sit idly by while their nation was undone.
2007-08-01 21:53:52 · answer #3 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Working to get us out of Bush's adventure in Iraq certainly isn't treason.
2007-08-01 21:55:04 · answer #4 · answered by redphish 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What schazjmd said with this; added:
Is not placing one’s monetary values before one’s country, while at the sometime as; not pursuing the person (s) responsible for the 9/11 attacks on our Nation’s soil, “giving them aid and comfort”???
--- Yes, yes it is!
2007-08-01 22:08:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Something like TELLING OTHER COUNTRIES WHO WORKS FOR OUR CIA...
Besides, Thomas Jefferson said, to paraphrase, dissent is the highest form of patriotism. Some neo-cons on here need to think about that...
2007-08-01 22:05:38 · answer #6 · answered by linus_van_pelt_4968 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
joining the otherside AND contributing to their military or political operations against the US. The penalty was and should be death.
2007-08-01 21:56:29 · answer #7 · answered by James924 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OUTTING A CIA AGENT.
APPARENTLY YOU GET 2 TERMS AS PRESIDENT.
2007-08-01 21:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
things like the Security and Prosperity Partnership(SPP) agreement that THREATENS THE VERY SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR COUNTRY. Bush signed it in 2005. He is trying to create a North American Union, that would end America. THAT IS TREASON.
Bush is a traitor.
2007-08-01 21:50:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 5⤋
Exposing a secret agent.
Death.
2007-08-01 21:49:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋