18th and 19th Century Britain 1700-1800 Flashcards
What is the historical context of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
SOCIETY
- period of industrial revolution
development of machinary and transport - growth of cities and towns
- population rise (10m to 40m)
- growth of british empire and trade
- increasing humanitarian attitudes
- **reduced role of religion
- govermenment had a central role in law making**
What is the historical context of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
THE TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS
- Feb 1834- group of farm workers formed a trade union to improve wages
- accused of administrating an illegal oath
- sentenced to 7 years transportation to australia
deterrent to those forming union -
public protests reversed punishment
-demonstration of 100k people and peititon with 200k - showed influence of public attitudes on govs actions
What is the nature of crime and laws of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
SMUGGLING
CONTINUITY
- High import taxes
- luxary good eg. wine
- social crime
- difficult to enforce
CHANGE
- smuggling gangs
- supported by upper class
- 1780 - the government reduces import duties
What is the nature of crime and laws of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
HIGHWAY ROBBERY
CONTINUITY
- medieval crime
CHANGE
- increased trade, isolated roads and turnpikes meant it became more common
- 1722- made into a capital crime
- declined with the creation of banks and better horseback patrols
What is the nature of crime and laws of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
POACHING
CONTINUITY
- issue for rich landownders
CHANGE
- more organised gangs
- harsh laws introduced
*1723 Black Act *
poaching made into a capital crime
1823 Black Act
repealed by Robert Peel
What is the nature of law enforcement and policing of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
CONTINUITY
- Town constable still dealt with local crimes eg.begging
- watchmen still protect wealthy property.
- part time soldiers still used to deal with riots
CHANGE
- The Bow Street Runners
example of thief takers
What is the nature of law enforcement and policing of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
THE BOWSTREET RUNENRS AND LATER POLICING DEVLOPMENTS
- example of thief takers
- dettered criminals; regular foot and horse patrols; collected and shared info (crime intelligence)
1748: set up by Henry Fielding
1785: officially payed by gov
1792 Middlesex Justices Act: set up further offices; 6 constables to detect and arrest
OPPOSITION
worried aboout personal freedoms and privacy
doubted influence on law and order
might be too expensive to fund
LATER POLICING DEVELOPMENTS
- 1829 metrapolitan police force
1st professional force
17 districts; one divison had 4 inspectors and 144 constables; patrolled on the beat
blue overcoats and top hats; public concern of gov corruption
-1856 Police Act
all areas have a professional foce
development was slow: concerns about cost; no cooperation; local govs didnt enforce or reform
135 Muncipal cooperations act
1839 constabulary act
-
1869 National Crime Record
use of new tech in policing eg. telegraph communications -
1842 Scotland Yard
16 officers; plain clothes; accused as spies - *1878 CID *
200-600 detectives; jack the ripper case; fingerprint evidence
CASE STUDY: Pentonville Prison (1842)
- built in 1842
- built as prototype for seperate system
- 5 wings,520 prisoners; seperate cells
- highly disciplined: hard labour for 12hrs; up-to-date domestic tech
- opporunitity for individual improvement; reform through self-reflection; act as deterrent; ensure retribution
- mental illness; high suicide rates
VIEWS
- Humanitarians eg. Elizabeth Fry wanted improvements and rehabilitation
- gov concerned with deterrence
director or prisons: ‘hard labour, hard fare and hard board’
What is the nature of punishment of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
THE BLOODY CODE
CONTINUITY
- belief until the 1800s
CHANGE
-** by 1810 increased to 222 crimes** punishable by death
- questioned and ended in 1868: attracted large crowds; mocked authorities; bred more crime
What is the nature of punishment of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
TRANSPORTION
CONTINUITY
- transportation continued
CHANGE
- criminals transported to Australia instead of North America
as a result of American war of independence
Australia was part of the British Empire
effective deterrent; humane alternative to death penalty and new prisons; build new colony
- ended in 1868
Australia concerns: high crime rates; fewer jobs and low wages
Britian concerns: inhuman ship conditions; desirable place so less deterrence; prison colony costs; more prisons built sp less need for transportation
What is the nature of punishment of 18th and 19th Century Britain?
PRISONS
CONTINUITY
- increasing use of prisons
- alternative to death/bloody code/transportation
rehabiliatation; deterrent; hard work; protected society
CHANGE
1815
go
gaolers no longer paid by inmates
1816
first London national prison
1823
prisoners split; chaplains to visit
*1835 Gaols Act *
prison inspections
1839 Prisons Act
seperate system in prisons
1865 Prisons Act
national rules; hard labour and harsh conditions; retribution and detrrence
1877
prisons under gothernment authhority
1898 Prisons Act
empathsis on rehabilitaion and reform
FACTORS INFLUENCING REFORM
- role of government
- role of individuals
John Howard: improved prison conditions; reform; christian teaching; remodel gaol
Elizabeth Fry: improved prison conditions; reform; charity work; chrisitian teaching; education; females and children
- changing ideas and attitudes
Robert peel reforms
PENAL REFORMS
- reduced capital crimes by 100 in 1825
- influenced by Elizabeth Fry
- improved prison condition
1823 Gaols Act
regular visits from prison chaplains; gaolers paid; females watched by female wardens; no chains/irons
limitation: no paid inspectors; unenforced until 1853 Prison Act
POLICE REFORMS
- 1829 metrapolitan police force
1st professional force
17 districts; one divison had 4 inspectors and 144 constables; patrolled on the beat
OPPOSITION
faced hositility from public and press; cartoon portrayed as poorly trained and immoral
worried about military-style presence
worried aboout personal freedoms and privacy
doubted influence on law and order
might be too expensive to fund
police guidlines: basic mission to prevent crime; physical force if necessary; no power abuse
-1856 Police Act
all areas have a professional foce
development was slow: concerns about cost; no cooperation; local govs didnt enforce or reform
