18th & 19th Century Britain - Crimes Against Authority

Question 1

why witchcraft stopped being crime?

Answer 1

-people became less superstitious
-The Royal Society, set up by Charles II, led to increased scientifically experiments, which explained things previously thought to be the work of witches

Question 2

when were all laws concerning witchcraft appealed?

Answer 2

The Witchcraft Act - 1736

Question 3

who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs? (1834)

Answer 3

1834 - a group of farm workers who formed a ‘friendly society’ (an early form of trade union) to protest about their low wages compared to other farm workers’ wages

Question 4

what happened to the tolpuddle martyrs?

Answer 4

-gov feared they were losing control of workers
-6 men arrested
-found guilty in trial & sentenced to 7 years transportation to australia
-> trying to deter others from forming trade unions

-news spread, mass protests & 200k signatures against their punishment

-eventually in 1836, martyrs pardoned & returned home

Question 5

what was the significance of the tolpuddle martyrs?

Answer 5

-highlights how authorities used laws to criminalise people they viewed as a threat

-shows how gov would protect interests of employers at expense of workers

-pardoning of martyrs illustrates impact of public opinion

-martyrs inspired some to fight for workers’ rights but others out of by how martyrs were treated