C&P- 18th and 19th Century Britain Flashcards
When was the 18th and 19th century?
1700-1900
What were the factors for an increased crime?(5)
1700-1850 saw an increase in crime such as theft, and burglary, drunk and disorderly behaviour, prostitution
- This was because people were travelling more and moving into towns meant that fewer people knew each other and communities became less tightly knit.
- larger towns meant made it easier to escape without being caught.
- some criminals became ‘professional’ within dens or gangs of thieves.
- extreme poverty that led to a rise in ‘survival crimes’, such as stealing food.
New crimes against property? What was it and how did it increase? (4)
Highway robbery- holding up travellers on the road to steal their possessions.
- Hwy robbery increased in towns due to improved roads that led to more people travelling, increased trade between towns meant more goods and money being transported by road.
- many roads were isolated, making it easy to get away with highway robbery as there was no local police or constable to track criminals across countries.
- handguns had become more easier to obtain and quicker to load and fire as highwaymen could easily be armed/ horses became cheaper.
Why did highway robbery decrease? (5)
what yeAR DID IT BECOME A CAPITAL CRIME.
- Banks were set up and became more sophisticated overtime so fewer people carried large amounts of money.
- Stagecoaches were introduced with regular staging posts- travellers could rest for the night, decrease the risk of being robbed.
- Open land around London and towns were built as populations increased therefore more witnesses and more of a chance to be caught -> decrease
- 1772- it became a capital crime to be armed and n disguise on a high road.
- mounted patrols on the major roads and the growth of the railways helped reduce instances of highway robbery, which disappeared completetly in the 1830s.
New crimes against property?
1) Poaching increased in the 18th century but this led to the Waltham Black Act, which made poaching a capital crime and also made it illegal to carry snares or own hunting dogs in a poaching area as the population exploded from 6 mil to 36 mil so poaching increased.
- Parliament made laws to protect landowners/
New crimes against authority ?
Why did this increase?(3)
1) Smuggling- bringing goods, into Britain illegally, without paying taxes and smuggling increased from 1740-1850 due to taxes being too high due to the Napoleonic Wars and Britain needed the tax put forward to fight against the wars with France.
- smoking tobacco was hugely fashionable so people would spend more money to buy illegal tobacco.
- Hawkhurt Gang- smuggled huge volumes of goods who controlled lots of South Coast and many would bargain with them to get a share of the goods to be quiet. Many feared and were intimidated by them
- Coast guards could not guard the whole coastline properly and because there were not enough coast guards so it was easier to find a spot to smuggle at night which was easier.
Why did smuggling decrease?(2)
- Prime Minister Wiliam Pitt reduced import duties.
- The French Revolutionary Wars ended however remained a problem in 19t century.
Why did witchcraft stop becoming a crime?(3)
- economic and social changes led to more prosperity and political stability.
- Some still believed in witches and the devil( but others) especially the educated, became less superstitious.
- the royal society, set up by Charles II led to increased scientific experiments, which explained things previously taught to be witches in 1660.
Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs?(4) Their significance? (3) Explain why it developed?
- dorest farm labourers who formed a union to strike for improved wages- the 6 men were arrested for making secret oaths
- transported to Australia for 7 yrs after being found guilty.
- mass protests and a petition of 200000 signatures collection in opposition to their harsh punishment.
- protests continued in 1936 and the martyrs were pardoned and returned home
SIG:
- authorities did not want to pay higher wages and acted harshly and highlighted how authorities used laws to criminalise people they viewed as a threat.
- the pardoning of the martyrs illustrates the impact of public opinion.
- harsh punishment was used to deter.
Who were the Fielding Brothers? (4) Their significance? (2) Explain why it developed?
1749- Henry Fielding set up the ‘Bow Street Runners’ to catch criminals.- at first, they charged fees and collected rewards but later were paid by gov.
1754- John Fielding introduced mounted patrols but was less successful as there were not enough to deal with the dramatically increasing crime rate.
-shared info o crimes and suspects with another- the beginnings of a crime intelligence network.
-introduced new methods of finding evidence to bring criminals to justice, the first modern ‘detectives’
-unprofessional, untrained and not disciplined as well had no uniform.
SIG:
- London grew to over 1m people.
- No official crime enforcement methods and thief-catchers SUCH AS JONATHON WILD were corrupt.
What factors changed the view on punishment? (5)
- Bloody Code was not working with the number of capital crimes reaching a peak of 222 in 1810 in order to deter crime however it was clear this deterrent was not working so there were increased feelings on how:
- the punishment should be equal to crime commited.
- corporal and capital punishments were inhumane except for v serious crime,
- punishment should be about rehabilitation
this led to the decrease in the use of the death penalty and the end of the bloody code and increase in other forms of punishment:
-firstly transportation and then imprisonment as well.
List dates that led to new laws being passed by Sir Samuel Romiley(3)
1808- passed a law that abolished death penalty for pickpocketing.
1820s- most capital crimes were abolished except murder and treason.
1868- last public hanging.
What were the two reasons that lead to an abolition of the Bloody Code?(2)
Public hanging:
- too crowded, too much aggression-> breakout of violence.
- taught violence and children were present as well.
- entertainment and it could also spark revolutions- the authorities feared of a French Revolution.
Enlightenment ideas:
- current punishment did not work- did not deter.
- punish more fairly and should meet the crime conducted.
- also punishment should help rehabilitate criminal.
ALTERNATIVE IDEAS TO PUNISHMENT SUCH AS PRISONS HAD DEVELOPED AND TRANSPORTATION.
- ALSO BECAUSE BLOODY CODE FORCED JURIES TO BE LENIENT ON CRIMINALS- HANDING WAS TOO SERIOUS FOR PETTY CRIMES THEREFORE MANY JUDGES LET GUILTY PEOPLE GO FREE.
(4) Why were convicts sent to Australia?
The use of transportation and why did it end? (2)
- fewer prisons in England.
- develop the country.
- new and improved steamships.
- alternate to execution.
Use:
From 1800- 186, many criminals were transported to Australia and they worked in chain gangs for 7 years, then could go free.
Ended:
- Australia become more settled and prisons were built instead and were increasingly used instead of transportation.
- They did not want ‘criminals’
- Some felt it was too expensive and not strong enough deterrent to crime or others felt it was too harsh for criminals and families.
What was Pentonville? Reasons for the separate system? (3)
1) Opened in 1842.
- designed as a model prison- 70 prisons were build in 35 years.
2) Created the separate system:
- for rehabilitation- solitude was believed to provide prisoners with an opportunity to reflect on their crimes & not influenced by other criminals.
- for retribution- boredom and isolation made criminals ‘pay’ for their crime.
- as a deterrent.
- prisoners undertook monotonous and repetitive work that was done in their cells such as loom for working on.
