Explain how the Constitution provides protection for treason and how today’s laws compare, citing example. Is the Constitution under Article III relevant in today's world?
Section Three of the U.S. Constitution states that one can be charged with a treason offence when they wage war against the U.S., collaborate with its enemies, or gives them comfort and aid (Harbaugh, 2014). The constitution further provides a threshold that needs to be met for a person to be convicted of treason. Ideally, at least two witnesses must confess to overt treasonable acts or confessions made by the accused in an open court. Besides, the Constitution gives Congress the powers of determining the punishment that is appropriate for traitors. The U.S. Constitution applies to American citizens who commit treasonable acts anywhere on earth, and it does not outline express limitations on the crime of treason. The eighteenth-century English laws prescribed severe punishments for treason than the current laws.
The video “25 Most Hated Backstabbing Traitors in History” discusses individuals who will go down in history as the most hated traitors (List25, 2015). Specifically, a traitor is a person who is found guilty of treachery or treason, especially in betraying a country, cause, or a friend’s trust (Harbaugh, 2014). Traitors are hated in many cultures and communities; however, most of the treasonable acts are not always clear. For example, should a person who betrays an oppressive government be considered as a martyr, hero, or traitor? Should a person who betrays a project that would have caused harm or death to thousands of people be considered a saviour or a traitor? Some of the people who are considered the most hated traitors of all time include Judas Iscariot, Aldrich Ames, John Walker Lindh, Patrick Stanley Vaughan Heenan, George Plantagenet, the First Duke of Clarence, and John Anthony Walker Jr.
Judas Iscariot was a disciple of Jesus, who betrayed him to the Roman authorities. His actions led to the eventual crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Biblical accounts suggest that Judas commuted suicide because he could not live with the guilt of his actions. George Plantagenet was a member of the House of York who switched sides and provided intelligence to the Lancastrians (List25, 2015). He was executed after King Edward IV convicted him of treason. John Anthony Walker Jr. served as a communication specialist and the warrant officer in the U.S. Army. He was later accused and convicted of passing intelligence information to the Soviet Union during the Cold War Era (List25, 2015). He died while serving a prison sentence.
Research indicates that the eighteenth-century English laws described high treason as one of the most serious felonies that a person could commit against the throne. Currently, high treason remains one of the most serious felonies in most nations across the globe. Punishments accorded to individuals that committed treason in the eighteenth century were more severe than contemporary punishments. In general, treason is a terrible and solemn crime. In the eighteenth century, offenders of high treason would be dragged to the gallows to be hanged and their remains burned. In some cultures, the offender’s family would also be punished.
In the eighteenth century, treason was considered one of the most serious felonies punishable by brutal death. By enacting Section One of the criminal codes, the Congress defines the locus of treason as within the U.S. or anywhere else. The U.S. Constitution gives the Congress express powers to punish treasonable activities. In some of the states in America, such as Michigan, a traitor may be put to death. Even in the present American society, treason remains a serious felony and convicted individuals serve long sentences.
References
Harbaugh, H. (2014). Treason and Law: A Discourse, Delivered at Clearspring. New York: Prentice Hall Press.
List25 (2015). 25 Most Hated Backstabbing Traitors In History – YouTube. Retrieved June 6, 2016, from <https://youtu.be/ZOfQ2wmrxIg>
