The Decree Against Profiteers, laws passed by the COPS, accused profiteers of monopolizing, or controlling, grain. In their first law, they stated that monopoly of any sort is a “capital crime” (Document A). This means that complete control is not allowed. Since the COPS wished to keep the revolution growing, they did not want any acts of the citizens that resemble monarchy, the specific form of government they are trying to stay away from. Through this law, they proved themselves focused on protecting the revolution from its enemies. However, there is another law within this document that states that those who make “false declarations” or those who “protect monopolists” would be sentenced by death (Document A). This is a severe punishment, therefore showing themselves to be hypocritical, as they had just previously stated that extreme control was a crime. Death sentences are inarguably serious, and the COPS’s authority over those who are sentenced are very