Hammurabi’s code has a significant effect on not only laws going back to ancient times, but also on the modern day laws. Although not word for word, pieces of this code are incorporated into modern society. The American code of laws and judicial system is based on many of the same principles of Hammurabi’s code. The United States Supreme Court building built in 1935 actually shows Hammurabi as one of the historic law givers that are on the wall of the court room. (www.history.com) One of the most cherished principles of the American system of criminal justice is that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. This means that the prosecution must prove, beyond the reasonable doubt that each part of the crime charged. (www.law.cornell.edu) Although this principle was officially put into place in the Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 under article 11 its history can be traced back to the times of Hammurabi. (faculty.cua.edu) Although people often think of Hammurabi’s code as barbaric and harsh, it was one of the first legal documents to include the phrase “innocent until proven guilty.” The code puts the burden of proof on the accuser. The Code states “If any one bring an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death.” It is clear that although America has gone through many steps in its mission to advance in human rights, Hammurabi’s code set legal foundations that are still in use today. (www.history.com) One of the great debates currently in America is the concept of the federal minimum wage. The talk recently has been to raise the minimum wage and help grow the economy and help American’s live better lives. Bernie Sanders a democratic political candidate for the United States presidency has used the minimum wage argument during his campaign. (www.forbes.com) As much as the minimum wage laws are a hot topic today they were important in
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It is believed that Hammurabi’s code was the first set of laws to be written so people could read and understand. The code was inscribed on a seven foot stele which is a large piece of stone. His code was written and displayed to provide laws and punishment to citizens. The rules were able to be used in most aspects of Babylonian life. The written law became so useful that it was referred to many years after Hammurabi’s rule. Hammurabi felt that if he wrote these laws out and people were able to understand them it helped him unify the groups he controlled. (www.livescience.com) In American history, Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1789, "Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” This statement is similar to the thoughts of Hammurabi hundreds of years ago. In American history, important documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Mayflower Compact and The United States Constitution were all written out clearly and the people were educated regarding the rules and the laws. By Hammurabi writing out the laws it set a standard for future generations to properly communicate with their citizens. Both Hammurabi’s code and our present historical documents allowed people to solve problems and understand there place in society. Many of the laws of American society have clear beginnings in the code of Hammurabi but have been changed to fit modern standards.
It is believed that Hammurabi’s code was the first set of laws to be written so people could read and understand. The code was inscribed on a seven foot stele which is a large piece of stone. His code was written and displayed to provide laws and punishment to citizens. The rules were able to be used in most aspects of Babylonian life. The written law became so useful that it was referred to many years after Hammurabi’s rule. Hammurabi felt that if he wrote these laws out and people were able to understand them it helped him unify the groups he controlled. (www.livescience.com) In American history, Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1789, "Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” This statement is similar to the thoughts of Hammurabi hundreds of years ago. In American history, important documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Mayflower Compact and The United States Constitution were all written out clearly and the people were educated regarding the rules and the laws. By Hammurabi writing out the laws it set a standard for future generations to properly communicate with their citizens. Both Hammurabi’s code and our present historical documents allowed people to solve problems and understand there place in society. Many of the laws of American society have clear beginnings in the code of Hammurabi but have been changed to fit modern standards.