Abolition

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Abolition is the act of formally repealing an existing practice through legal means, either by making it illegal, or simply no longer allowing it to exist in any form.

Famous things that have been abolished include:

• slavery; see also: Abolitionism
• the Soviet Union
• alcohol; see also: prohibition
• numerous monarchies

Things that are topics of debate over their possible abolition include:

• suffering
• the death penalty
• abortion
• firearms ownership and the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

A common and usually uncontroversial act of abolition is the abolition of electoral districts during redistricting.