1700-1900 C+P Flashcards
has poaching always been a common law?
no, poaching was originally a forest law but then later on became a common law
what kind of people were poachers?
most poachers were individuals trying to feed their family but others were organised gangs who hunted large amounts of animals and sold them on.
what was the law that made poaching a capital crime?
the 1723 waltham black act
- it made it a capital crime to be in a hunting area with hunting equipment with a blackend face
what were the public opinions on the waltham black act?
the public viewed it as extremly harsh as it affected ordinary people as well as gangs.
- it was also considered unfair as wealthy land owners were allowed to hunt wherever.
when was the law repealed?
the law was repealed in 1823 as apart of robert peels reforms but it was still banned
why did smuggling increase in the 18th century?
- taxes had been placed on imported goods making smuggling more attractive
- trade had grown - lots of items were made overseas ( tea + tobacco)
why did authorities struggle to catch smugglers
- happened at night in secluded coastal areas which made it difficult to monitor
- the public often supported the smugglers as smuggled goods were usually cheaper than legally imported goods.
why was there a decrease in smuggling and when?
there was a decrease in smuggling in the later 18th century
- government reduced tax so there was less incentive
- watchtowers - easier to catch smugglers
- coastal guards - easier to catch smugglers
what was highway robbery?
highway robbery was when highway robbers attacked travellers and threatened them into giving up their items
why was highway robbery such a big problem?
- the banking system wasn’t fully developed so people carried their valuables and large sums of money around with them
- towns were far apart - long remote roads - easier for attacks
- people travelled in carriages and by stagecoach - public transport - highway robbers could steal from several people at once.
why was there a sudden decrease in highway robbery in the 1830s
- introduction of patrol on major roads
- enclosure and turnpike gates made it difficult for robbers to escape
- increase in banknotes - could be traced easily when stolen
who were the hawkhurst gang
- they were one of the most notorious gangs for smuggling and known for their violent methods
in the late ____ century accusations and prosecutions of witchcraft _______
17th century
declined
why did the belief in witchcraft decline in the late 17th century?
- ## devloopments in scientific understanding
what was the royal society and when was it set up?
how did it affect educated peoples beliefs on witchcraft?
- 1660
- promoted science and academic study
- encouraged people to value science over superstition
- this led people to question the existence of witchcraft + convictions fell
what was John Halts role and and did he believe in
John halt was lord chief justice
- believed in examining evidence closely and acquitted 7 people accused of witchcraft.
- his approach influenced judges to do the same
what was the witchcraft act and when was it passed?
- 1736
- repealed previous laws about witchcraft
- stated that witchcraft was not real
- made it illegal for someone to claim they had magical powers - fine/prison
- change in attitudes around witchcraft led to change in law ( witchcraft act 1736)
what was a trade union?
a organisation set up by workers in a particular industry to campaign for tor better pay and working conditions
why did the British authorities worried about the trade unions?
in France the nobility had been overthrown by the working class after a series of Revolution and the authorities feared that it might happen in Britain.
who were the topuddle martyrs, what did they set up and when?
they were six farm worker s that formed a trade union in 1833
they did this because they were angry about wages for farm workers being reduced.
the topuddle martyrs got the support of other farm workers, and made them swear _ _____ ___ ________
a oath of solidarity.
what were the topuddle martyrs arrested for, when and why?
they were arrested for swearing a oath of secrecy in 1834
- because the authorities and landowners wanted to shut them down but they couldn’t arrested them for creating a trade union as it wasn’t illegal
what were the tolpuddle martyrs sentenced to?
transportation - 7 years in Australia - maximum sentence
- they used the maximum sentence possible suggesting the authorities wanted to deter other people from creating Unions
what was the bloody code
the bloody code was a series of crimes that were punishable by death.
- developed in 1600
- by 1800 there were 200 crimes punishable by death
why were juries reluctant to convict people
and why was this a problem
bloody code
- it meant people who commited crimes like petty theft were getting the same crimes and murder
it was a problem becuase criminals were going unpunished and crime was actully being encouraged
when was majority od the crimes on the bloody code abolished and which ones remained
in 1861 all crimes expect major ones like murder and treason were abolished
what was transportation and when was it introduced
transportation was a punishment were the convicted criminal would be sent to america (until 1776) or Australia (1787) to serve a sentance
