Why is Billy Budd hanged in Herman Melville’s final novella?

In Herman Melville’s final novella, Billy Budd, Foretopman, the title character is hanged because he kills the ship’s master-at-arms, John Claggart, after being provoked by a false accusation of mutiny.123

The incident occurs during a period of threatened mutiny in the British navy, which heightens the severity of the situation. Although Billy acts out of frustration and the killing is accidental, the act of striking an officer is a capital offense under naval law. Captain Vere, despite his personal ambivalence and recognition of Billy’s innocence, feels compelled by his duty to uphold military law and order. Consequently, a drumhead court condemns Billy to death, and he is hanged for the crime.13456