____ is the granting of a general pardon to a whole group of law violators.

Amnesty refers to the official pardon granted to a group of individuals by a government authority. It has been used historically by both presidents and governors in the United States to pardon groups for political or humanitarian reasons, such as after the Civil War or during policy shifts regarding capital punishment.

Explanation:

“Amnesty” is the granting of a general pardon to a whole group of law violators. In the context of United States history, governors and presidents have used their authority to issue pardons and commutations. For example, President Andrew Johnson issued the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in May 1865, offering amnesty and pardon to many participants of the Confederacy following the Civil War. Similarly, governors have also exercised this power; as in New Jersey and Illinois, where governors commuted the sentences of inmates on death row. Comprehensive amnesties such as President Jimmy Carter's blanket amnesty for draft evaders during the Vietnam War are significant acts that reflect a broader use of pardon power.

Presidential and gubernatorial pardons serve various purposes, including correcting instances of injustice, providing relief from punishment that is considered too harsh, or as a political tool for reconciliation after conflict. Amnesty can have far-reaching implications for the criminal justice system and society, and it remains a potent executive authority.