Final answer:
Amnesty is the granting of a general pardon to a whole group of law violators, such as historical instances following the American Civil War and the Vietnam War draft evaders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The granting of a general pardon to a whole group of law violators is known as amnesty. This is typically used in a political context where a government wishes to pardon individuals or groups for political crimes committed, often during times of war or rebellion. Historical examples include President Abraham Lincoln's "Proclamation on Amnesty and Reconstruction" and President Andrew Johnson's Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction after the American Civil War, which offered pardons to those who participated in the rebellion upon taking an oath of allegiance.
Another example is President Jimmy Carter's amnesty for those who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War. While pardons can be granted to individuals, often remedying an injustice or a harsh sentence, and parole involves the release of a prisoner before their sentence is complete, amnesty is unique in its application to large groups.