Looting: Difference between revisions
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[[File: | [[File:Pluenderung der Judengasse 1614.png|thumb|The plundering of the Judengasse (Jewry) in Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire on August 22, 1614.]] | ||
'''Looting''' is a term used for stealing and [[Vandalism|vandalizing]] property through force. Most of the time, looters are not caught for their actions. There have been notable cases of looting throughout history. It can also be known as '''pillaging''' or '''plundering'''. | '''Looting''' is a term used for stealing and [[Vandalism|vandalizing]] property through force. Most of the time, looters are not caught for their actions. There have been many notable cases of looting throughout history. | ||
It can also be known as '''pillaging''' or '''plundering'''. | |||
In armed conflict, looting is prohibited by international law, and constitutes a [[war crime]]. | In armed conflict, looting is prohibited by international law, and constitutes a [[war crime]]. | ||
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===During armed conflict=== | ===During armed conflict=== | ||
Looting by a victorious army during war has been common practice throughout recorded history. Foot soldiers viewed plunder as a way to supplement an often meagre income and transferred wealth became part of the celebration of victory. In the upper ranks, the proud exhibition of the loot plundered formed an integral part of the typical Roman triumph, | Looting by a victorious army during war has been common practice throughout recorded history. Foot soldiers viewed plunder as a way to supplement an often meagre income and transferred wealth became part of the celebration of victory. In the upper ranks, the proud exhibition of the loot plundered formed an integral part of the typical Roman triumph, and [[Genghis Khan]] was not unusual in proclaiming that the greatest happiness was "to vanquish your enemies ... to rob them of their wealth". | ||
In warfare in ancient times, the spoils of war included the defeated populations, which were often enslaved. Women and children might become absorbed into the victorious country's population, as concubines, eunuchs and slaves. In other pre-modern societies, objects made of precious metals were the preferred target of war looting, largely due to their ease of portability. In many cases looting offered an opportunity to obtain treasures that otherwise would not have been obtainable. Since the 18th century, works of art have increasingly become a popular target. In the 1930s, and even more so during [[World War II]], Nazi Germany engaged in large-scale and organized looting of art and property, particularly in [[Nazi Party|Nazi]]-occupied Poland. | In warfare in ancient times, the spoils of war included the defeated populations, which were often enslaved. Women and children might become absorbed into the victorious country's population, as concubines, eunuchs and slaves. In other pre-modern societies, objects made of precious metals were the preferred target of war looting, largely due to their ease of portability. In many cases looting offered an opportunity to obtain treasures that otherwise would not have been obtainable. Since the 18th century, works of art have increasingly become a popular target. In the 1930s, and even more so during [[World War II]], Nazi Germany engaged in large-scale and organized looting of art and property, particularly in [[Nazi Party|Nazi]]-occupied Poland. | ||