18th And 19th Century Britain - 1700-1900 Flashcards
when were laws against witchcraft abolished
By 1736
What new types of crime emerged
Highway robbery
Smuggling
What was now punishable by death
Poaching
Why did people care so much about Highway robbery
- disrupted trade especially around London
- greatest feared by travellers
Ruthlessness of highway robbery
- often romanticised in art - eg. Claude Duval painting
- in truth very ruthless - cut out a woman’s founder to stop her reporting him
Why did highway robbery grow
- more people travelling in their own coaches
- handguns were easier to obtain and became quicker to load and fire
- horses became cheaper to buy
- lonely areas outside towns
- there was no police force - constables didn’t track criminals across counties
- after wars ended - demolished soldiers struggled to find an honest way of living
Why did highway robbery decline
- number of banks grew - freezer travellers carried large amounts of money
- stagecoaches were introduced - regular staging posts where tired horses were changed
- road surfaces improved - coaches became more frequent
- lonely areas were built on as population increased
- mountain patrols - set up around London and were encouraged by rewards
- local governments closed down inns where they were likely to sell/ hide loot
What was smuggling
Bringing goods into the country without paying duties
What type of foods were mainly smuggled
Tea, cloth, wine, spirits
Punishment for smuggling
Death
Why did the authorities take smuggling very seriously
Duties were the main form of government income
What were the poaching laws
Only Landowners with land worth over £100 a year could hunt
Social crimes
Poaching
Smuggling
When was the Waltham Black Act introduced
1723
What was the Waltham Black Act
Made hunting deer, hare, rabbit a capital crime
What was the government view on smuggling
- was disruptive to trade and a drain on tax revenue
How much tea was smuggled in each year
Estimated 1.4 tonnes
How large were smuggling gangs
50-100 men and were well armed
Conflict between smuggling gangs and government
Smuggling gangs fought with customs men and even seized back confiscated goods
The government used the army against larger gangs
What were customs officers
Officials who tried to prevent smuggling
Public attitudes to smuggling
- public disliked expensive duties - made luxury goods affordable
- even government ministers were known to have purchased smuggled wine
- social crime - for low paid labourers it was a quick way to earn 6 times their daily wage in one night
- fear of gangs deterred public from giving evidence or reporting
Smuggling wages
- in Sussex - traditional jobs like fishing were in decline smuggling offered alternative living
- locals who helped carry goods from ship to shore could expect to earn nearly twice average persons wage
- smuggling earned over 6 times average labourers wage in one night
How many people officially ‘wanted’ as smugglers
In 1748 - 103
70 percent of those were labourers
Government view on poaching
Regarded as a threat to wealthy landowners property
Public attitudes to poaching
Social crime- people believed law favoured rich landowners and the punishments were too harsh and it provided food for the pot, supplementing low wages
Who were gamekeepers
Paid officials that protected game from poachers
Generally hated
Where did people sell their game
Black market - eg, John Lightwood killed nearly 80 hares and sold them for 3 shillings a piece
Why did demand for game grow
Increased population - more sophisticated diets
How did villagers protect poachers
Provided alibis and lied in court to protect from conviction
Punishment for possessing potential hunting weapons eg. Dogs/ Snares
£5 or three months in prison
How many active smugglers were there in 1748
Estimated 20,000
When was the French Revolution
1789
Why were the government/ landowners feeling vulnerable at the time of tolpuddle martyrs
French Revolution 1789 + swing riots + GNCTU
Wanted to stamp out any form of protest
What was the GNCTU
Grand National Consolidated Trade Union
- aimed to bring workers together for better pay and conditions
- not illegal to belong to a trade Union
Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs
A group of six farm labourers in Dorset village led by George Loveless
There wages had been cut several times and struggled to support their families
Who was George loveless
Methodist preacher + leader of Tolpuddle Martyrs
What did the Tolpuddle martyrs do
Formed a friendly society - Friendly Society of Agricultural Workers
In order to protest about meagre wage and third pay cut - down to six shillings a week
When were the Tolpuddle martyrs wages cut and to how much
1833 - cut to six shillings
What did the Tolpuddle martyrs swear
- swore an oath of allegiance to the Union and an oath of secrecy
What led to the arrest of the Tolpuddle martyrs
Their oath of secrecy
James Frampton (Dorset Landowner) wrote to Lord Melbourne (home secretary), to complain about their Union
They were arrested under the unlawful oaths act - 1797
What was the unlawful oaths act
Passed in 1797
Initially used to keep order in the navy - preventing mutinies
Government willing to change definition of crime for their own purposes
How did the authorities respond to Tolpuddle martyrs
- arrested under unlawful oaths act 1797
- sentenced to 7 years transportation to Australia
- broke up GNCTU
How many days were the Tolpuddle Marty’s out on see for
Sentenced to 7 years transportation to Australia
We’re at sea for 111 days and had to walk over 150 miles
What was the pubic reaction to the Tolpuddle martyrs
- widespread outcry
- men regarded as martyrs
- mass protests were organised - 100,000 people attended demonstration in London
- petition was presented to parliament with 80,000 signatures
How many people signed petition for Tolpuddle martyrs
80,000
When were the Tolpuddle martyrs released
1836 - After three years they were granted a pardon and returned as heros
When was the metropolitan police act passed
1829
Social changed in 18th/19th century
Population rise - 9.5 million in 1750 to 41.5 million in 1900
Work - more people working in factories
Voting rights - by 1885, all men could right
Travel - by 1840s railways had become major form of transport
Education - by 1870 - 70% of population could read and ride in 1900 - 95%
Who set up the Metropolitan police force
Robert peel - Home Secretary in 1829
Who were the fielding brothers
- before peel
- London magistrates Henry + John that took over Bow street’s magistrates court in 1748
When did the fielding brothers take over the bow streets magistrates court
1748
What did the fielding brothers do
- introduced horse patrol to stop highwaymen
- established a newspaper - hue and cry - to spread awareness of crime
- created bow street runners
- blamed the rise in crime on the break down in law and order and the corruption of politicians.
What were the bow street runners
A team of thief-takers who patrolled streets of London in the evening - they investigated crimes and presented them in court
Why did people initially fear a police force
It was really expensive and it may limit the peoples freedom
How many men did the Met have
3200 men
What was the Mets uniform
Designed to look civilian, rather than military to distinguish them from the army, reducing public fear
When was Robert Peel appointed Home Secretary
1822
Why was peel able to set up the Met
Government and tax - had become more involved in people lives. War with France forced them to raise money from tax. Local authorities given power to raise their own taxes to pay for police
Increased crime - widespread belief that violent crime was increasing - crime risen sharply after French wars as of unemployment
Fear of protest - after French Revolution governments/landowners were scared
London - rapid growth of towns made use of constables inadequate - overcrowding
How did the police develop
1835 - law passed that allowed towns to set up their own police force
1839 - law allowed counties to set up their own forces
1842- the met set up their first detective force
1856 - became compulsory for all towns/counties to set up police force
1870 - police helmets introduced
1878 - detective force recognised as Criminal Investigation Department - CID
1884 - over 39,000 police in over 200 forces
When did the met set up their first detective branch
1842
When did it become compulsory for all towns and counties to set up police forces
1856 - by this time police were respected not feared
When was the police recognised as the CID
Criminal Investigation Department - 1878
How many police officers were their in 1884
39,000
How was the bloody code abolished
By the reforms of sir Robert Peel
Abolished at the time crime was actually increasing
When was the last women burned for murdering her husband
1789
When was the death penalty abolished for pickpocketing
1808
When did the last public hanging take place
1868
Reasons why the bloody code was abolished
Juries would not convict - frequently unwilling to find people guilty if they thought punishment was too harsh/ disproportionate. Therefore criminals felt even more confident of escaping - increase crime rate
Public executions weren’t working - crowds grew larger - newspapers publicised them more - factory’s closed down on execution day - entertainment. Increased risk of criminal escaping of riots if criminal accused of minor/social crime - sympathy
Ideas changing - some argued that punishments should aim to reform criminals + alternatives were being tried eg. transportation
How many of those actually convicted of capital crimes were hanged
only 40% of those convicted of capital crimes were actually hanged. By 1800’s only 10%, despite increase in crime rate
What was transportation
The system in which convicted criminals were removed from the country
Where did the authorities first send criminals
To America - but became independent 1770’s
Where did they end up sending criminals
Australia
How long did the trip to Australia take
Up to 18 months
Successes of transportation
- Juries were more willing to convict criminals
- by 1830s Australia became established part of British empire
- only a minority of convicts chose to return to Britain after they gained their - ticket of leave - became respected members of community
Failures of transportation
- the crime rates increased sharply rather then fell
- by 1830’s it became very expensive - half a million pounds every year
- by 1830s wages in Australia were higher then in Britain - seen more as an opportunity
- many settlers protested about leaving convicts in Australia
- 1851 - gold was discovered in Australia - a gold rush began and thousands of people tried to go there
When did transportation decline
1840s
When did transportation end
1857
How much was transportation costing
Half a million pounds each year
Prison in early 1800s
- all prisoners housed together - women + men + children + first time criminals + hardened criminal
- prison wardens were unpaid - earned by charging prisoners fees for their own cell/ good food/ tobacco etc
- prisoners had to pay a fee to be released
- poor relied on local charities to pay their fees
- had to pay to see a doctor - goal fever
Disease that spread in early prisons
Goal fever - killed many inmates - conditions damp/ dirty/ unhealthy
What could the prisoners pay the prison wardens for - early prisons
Tobacco/ good food/ beer/ visitors/ pet/ own cell
When was the goals act
1823
What did the goals act change - 1823
- prisoners should be separated - no influencing others
- female prisoners should have female wardens
- all prisoners should attend chapel and receive religious instruction
- magistrates inspected prisons
- prisons must have fresh water/ healthy food
- wardens should be paid!
Who introduced the goals act
Robert peel
Who were the two reformers
John Howard + Elizabeth fry
Who is John Howard
Prison reformer
- he was shocked by conditions of prisons in Bedfordshire
- published 1777: the state of prisons in England and Wales
- in his book, he attached the old system, especially the fees
- he proposed separation of criminals, healthier accommodation, decent diet
- criticised for being too lenient
When did the met set up their ‘special branch ‘
1884
What was the ‘special branch’
Formed to combat growing threat of terrorism from the Irish republican brotherhood
When was the criminal records office established
1869 - established to compile a nationwide record of criminals, suspects and crimes
Who was Elizabeth Fry
Was a Quaker with a strong religious background
What did Elizabeth fry do
- visited women in Newgate prison
- found 300 women crammed into 3 rooms = shocked
- witnessed two women tearing clothes off a dead baby to put on a living one
- highlighted poor conditions and exploitation of women by male wardens
- encouraged other Quaker’s to visit prisons + set up prayer groups
- set up a school for the children at Newgate - taught useful work eg. Sewing
What prison did Elizabeth fry visit and what did she witness
Newgate prison
- 300 women + children/babies crammed in 3 rooms
- two woman tearing clothes off a dead baby to give to a real one
How many new prisons were there
Between 1842 and 1877 - 90 new prisons
What was the first new prison
Pentonville Prison
When was pentonville prison built
1842
Why was pentonville prison initially built
To deal with increased number of serious criminals, no longer being transported/ executed
Aimed to reform
Why were there many spokes in pentonville prison
So fewer guards were needed to supervise
When was the separate system introduced
1830’s
What was the separate system
- prisoners spent all of their time in their cells - encouraged to reflect rather then be influenced
- supported by religious instruction
- they had to work in their cells - useful jobs eg. Weaving loom
- exercised - had to wear masks and be 4.5 m apart
How did criminals exercise under the separate system
- wore masks so they can’t see anyone
- held a rope at 4.5m intervals to prevent communication
Strengths of the separate system
- effectively isolated criminals
- no mixing/ negative influence
- ended ‘school for crime’ perception
Weaknesses of separate system
- effectively places prisoners in solitary confinement
- shocking effects - 22 went mad + 26 had nervous break downs + 3 committed suicide
- expensive - required inmates to be housed in separate cells
When was the silent system introduced
1860s
What was the silent system
- prisoners expected to be silent at all times
- breaking rule = whipped or put on a diet of bread + water
- food was ‘hard - fare’ = adequate but monotonous
- hard wooden bunks replaced hammocks - deliberately uncomfortable
- had to do hard labour - pointless work several hours a day
What replaced hammocks in the silent system
Hard wooden bunks
What was food described as under the silent system
Hard fare - adequate but monotonous
Examples of hard labour under the silent system
Turn a crank handle up to twenty times a minute - 10,000 times a day for over 8 hours
- guards could tighten handle to make it harder
What was the garrotting crisis
In 1860’s - a new crime - garrotting gangs approached their victims and chocked + robbed them
What is the name of a booklet spreading takes of violent crime
Penny dreadfuls
When was the silent system introduced
Under the prison act of 1865
When did the fenians set off bombs
1884/5
Why was the fenian terrorist attack embarrassing
- special Irish branch set up in 1883 failed to stop plot
When and who replaced Edmund Henderson
1886 - Charles warren
Who is Charles warren
- adventurous
- joined royal engineers at 17
- tracked down the murders of an archeological team + arrested them
- commissar from 1886 -1888
Who was the Home Secretary during warrens time
Henry Mathews
Mathews and Warrens relationship
Mathew disliked warren and wanted to promote Munro instead
Warrens approach to the met
- increased military drill practise
- tightened rules for recruitment
- military discipline
What was warren accused of
- making the force into an army and being too harsh
- used too much force in controlling crowds in Trafalgar Square
When and why did warren resign
- 1888 + his reaction to public accusations of his forcefulness seemed like a critique to Mathews + had to resign
What division was Whitechapel in
H- division
Who were the divisions run by
Superintendent constable
Who were new constables recruited by
By the headquarters of the met police - from 1890 was at Scotland yard
Where were the headquarters for the met
From 1890 - Scotland yard
Who were recruits
- typically those who lived outside of London (I’m countryside) - seen as bigger + healthier
- character important - good personal discipline + honesty
Why was being a policeman attractive
- offered a steady income in an age where work was temporary + low paid
- senior positions would be given to long term serving policeman
- after 1860 a pension was given after 30 years in the service
Magazine in 1830s
punch
Swing riots
In 1830 and 1831, agricultural labourers attacked houses and barns belonging to rich farmers and landowners in south-east England. They burned hayricks and smashed farm machinery.
The attacks spread across the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England.
Threatening letters were sent to landowners, signed by ‘Captain Swing’.
They were protesting about poverty and the introduction of new machinery.
The Government arrested 2,000 people. 19 were hanged, 644 were jailed and 481 were transported to Australia.
Rebecca riots
Between 1839-1843, groups of farmers disguised themselves as women and attacked toll gates in west Wales. They were protesting about the high tolls, but also increasing rents, tithes and poverty. They had suffered some poor harvests, and then the price of livestock fell. Many began to struggle to pay rents, tithes, rates and the tolls.
They rode horses and were armed with sticks and axes. They attacked numerous tollgates in west Wales. The name ‘Rebecca’ was most likely a Biblical reference.
On 13 May 1839, Rebecca rioters attacked a toll gate at Efailwen. The tollhouse was burned down on 6 June and the toll gate destroyed. One toll keeper, Sarah Williams, was killed in an attack on 7 September 1843 in Hendy.
The attacks continued until 1843, but decreased after the government sent more troops to the area. Protesters began to hold peaceful meetings instead of violent attacks.
Examples of smuggling gangs
Hawkurst gang
Why were Tolpuddle martyrs punished so harshly
- swing riots + Rebecca riots
- landowners attitudes = James frampton
- deterrent
Why were the gunpowders plotters punished so harshly
- heretics - went against religion of church
- attempted to commit treason - against divine right of kings = James I feared possible further Catholic plots and did not have the option of employing counter-terrorism measures such as we have today.
- deterrent = hang drawn + quartered = sent out as a warning across the country
Explain why the met was set up
- fear of crime increasing = punch + penny Dreadfuls + smugglers + garrotting crisis + highway robbery + London
- fear of protest - swing + Rebecca riots + French Revolution
- gov had power to raise taxes + talk about all the laws - 42/56
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a period in French History where the peo- ple, due to an unfair society and taxation system, bankruptcy of the monarchy and economic hardship, overthrew Louis XVI and took con- trol of the government. It was a change in political control of the coun- try. It lasted 10 years from 1789 to 1799 when Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the revolutionary government. Key events of the Revolution include the Storming of the Bastille, the March of the Women, The Flight to Varennes, the September massacres, the Execution of Louis XVI and the Reign of Terror.
Explain why the death penalty was abolished
- juries would not convict = 40% = transportation
- public executions
- ideas about punishment were changing = sir Samual romilly - 1808 pickpocketing + In 1823, Sir Robert Peel abolished the death penalty for over 180 crimes + The reduced desire for retribution can also be seen in the reduced number of corporal crimes. Only flogging remained as a physical punishment in this century.
Public executions - extra info
Most towns in Wales had gallows for public executions. Some were permanent fixtures, and others would have been removed and rebuilt when needed. In Cardiff, convicts would walk from the Castle gaol to the gallows in an area in Roath still known locally as Death Junction.
