[2] Amnesty in U.S. politics in 1872 meant restoring the right to vote and hold office to ex-Confederates, which was achieved by act of Congress.
An amnesty may be extended when the authority decides that bringing citizens into compliance with a law is more important than punishing them for past offenses.
[citation needed] In 1718, when a general pardon was offered to pirates by the British,[4] its advocates hoped it would dissuade recipients from entering Spanish service while the countries were at war.
[5] Amnesty is often used to encourage people to turn in contraband, as in the case of China's gun restrictions,[6] or the Kansas City ban on pit bulls.
[13] But scholars have suggested that there should be room for amnesties which were imperative necessities to achieve peace and accompanied by effective Truth and Reconciliation Commissions.
[16] California Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said an amnesty program like the one the federal government undertook in 1986 would be ill-advised today.