To Protect or to Punish? The Modes of Decriminalization of Infanticide in 18th-19th Century France and Habsbourg Monarchy

Abstract

The study deals with a diferent ways of decriminalization of infanticide (murder of new-born babies by their own mothers), in pre-revolutionary, revolutionary and Napoleonic France on one hand, and in absolutist Habsbourg monarchy. It studies the changes on the legislative, intellectual, judicial and social level.

Keywords

• Infanticide
• Enlightenment Penal Law Reform
• Comparison
• 18th Century France
• 18th Century Habsbourg Monarchy