The woman on the ducking stool, shown here, could have broken any number of laws, including disturbing the peace in a Puritan town. What do you think was the social purpose of harsh, public punishments? Check all of the boxes that apply.

Harsh punishments carried out in public served several purposes. They frightened people who witnessed them, discouraged others from committing similar offenses, and demonstrated the authorities’ power to enforce the community’s rules. Therefore, all three purposes apply.

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