The TORTURE Methods Used During the Spanish Inquisition

The TORTURE Techniques Throughout Major Revolutions and Wars

Introduction

Torture has been around for a long time in history. One may think horrible pain and death when they think Torture. But some may think a friend annoying them is called torture. Clearly, now we are telling you, we are talking about actual torture. Torture where your limbs get teared apart, burning alive, drowning in acid, or another action that would make you spill everything you know, including your deepest, darkest secrets. In Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story, the Pit and the Pendulum, an old form of torture was used. This torture was used during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. There are also many other tortures that were used to kill people in history.

Spanish Inquisition

The Spanish Inquisition took place in Spain from 1478 to 1834. It spanned over 350 years in Spain. Who ever went against the Church was first put on a very unfair trial, tortured to the point of pure misery, and eventually, a very gruesome death. Some of these torture techniques used were:

• Strappado - A form of torture in which the victim gets his arms tied behind his back and are attached to a pulley. The floor drops and their arms are twisted up and pulled out of their sockets.
• The Rack - Another very painful form of torture in which the victim had their limbs chained to rollers on a metal frame. The torturer then turns the rollers and the victim’s limbs gets stretched until the point of dislocations and until they rip.
• The Pendulum - The infamous psychological torture shown in Edgar Allen Poe’s incredible scary short story, a huge axe swings over the victim, lowering in increments. This causes the victim to immediately surrender.

World War II

World War II was one of the most bloodiest events in history. Started in 1939 and ended in 1945.

Adolf Hitler is known for his dictatorship in Germany during the World War. He is also known for his new ways of torture on the Jewish people. The Japanese were also known for creating new ways to kill a person during the war.

• Poison Gas - The Nazis developed a poisonous gas called Sarin gas by mixing Phosphorus and cyanide. They first started using this on plants. The plants completely rotted. Then they started using them on people who betrayed them. Once a person inhales this gas, it destroys the nervous system by damaging the brain. Then, it paralyzes the body. Closes in the heart and finally ending life. It has been known that you feel a burning sensation as if someone was cooking you alive and pouring acid into your mouth. Hitler did not use this gas on the allies because he knew a big massacre will break out.
• Chinese Bamboo Torture - This torture was used by the Japanese during World War II. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It can grow 3 feet a day and grow through almost anything (even humans). The Japanese laid their enemies on a wooden shed and tied the victims with ropes. Then they placed a bamboo plant underneath the victim and they watered it. As the bamboo plant grew, its sharp needle like points pierced through the body and came out of the back. This was a slow process which made it painful. Then the bamboo plant makes its way into the body and out, slicing all intestines inside.
• Rat Torture - This torture was mainly used during the 16th century but its wrath still lived on until World War II. As mentioned in the name, the victim is chained down naked on a table. Then, heavy, hungry, and large disease infected rats are placed on the victim’s stomach. The tortures put hot charcoal on the rats to agitate them. In attempt of escaping, the rats gnaw and bite their way through the stomach, eating all of the intestines inside.