Was Being Wanted Dead Or Alive Justified or Cruel?

The Wild West was seen as one of the last frontiers, not just in Texas but also across the United States. Although the country's humble beginnings started on the East Coast, many Americans dreamed of expanding westward. This journey often involved facing various dangers, including Native American attacks, wild animals, and a lack of basic infrastructure.

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What Made The West Wild?

The Wild West experienced a minimal police presence and lacked basic infrastructure, which often led to an increase in criminal activity, as the chances of escaping punishment for a crime were exceedingly high. Additionally, there was a scarcity of communication methods and modern transportation, like cars, that could cover long distances quickly. The primary mode of transportation during that time was horseback riding.

Wanted Dead or Alive

As crazy as it sounds today, criminals were often publicly displayed on wanted posters.  Thus, encourages the general public to get involved in the apprehension of criminals.  Depending on the severity of their crime, an issue of being wanted dead or alive was often accepted as a suitable method of bringing a criminal to justice.  This meant that anyone could legally kill a wanted criminal without facing lawful consequences.

Is This Still Accepted in Modern-Day America?

The short answer would be no.  In the United States, we have a system known as due process. This ensures that individuals accused of crimes are entitled to legal proceedings that can either exonerate them or determine their guilt regarding the alleged offenses.