C+P 18th and 19th century Britain complete Flashcards
18th and 19th century Britian is what period?
c1700-c1900
In this time period name three factors that led to an increase in crime.
- People travelling more, knew fewer people so communities weren’t as tightly knit.
- Larger towns making it easier to escape
- Some criminals became professional criminals at what they did.
- Extreme poverty led to survival crimes.
Name a famous highwayman and what is strange about his fame?
Why did highway robbery increase.
Dick Turpin, famous, seen as a hero eventhough he committed very violent crimes.
- Improved roads, more travelling
- Increased trade, more worthiness in transport
- Many roads isolated, so easy to get away.
What was the change in the crime poaching? And what punishment did it become? And when were these laws repealed?
Crime against property
Capital
1823
What was the change in the crime smuggling? And when did it decrease and why?
Why did smuggling increase.
Crime against property
Taxes were cut in 1840s and smuggling decreased.
Tax on imported goods was very high, so smugglers made larger profits avoiding tax.
Why did witchcraft stop being a crime in this time period?
- Economic and social changes led to more political stability.
- Less superstitious, (better education)
- Scientific experiments proving led to explanations.
- Civil War ended there was no longer a scapegoat.
Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs?
What happened with them?
A group of farmers who protested about their low wages. Goverment feared of loss of control arrested the 6 men and they were tried and found guilty. Transported to Australia for 7 years. As a deterrence from others forming trade unions.
There were mass protests and a petition, opposing this but they were still sent. But protests continued and in 1836 they were pardoned and returned home.
Why were the Tolpuddle Martyrs significant?
- Highlight how authorities criminalise people they view as a threat.
- Government protects employers at the expense of workers
- Pardoning emphasises the impact of public opinion
Who were the Bow Street Runners?
Established by Henry Fielding in 1749, who were tackling the huge crime wave in the 17th-Century. John Fielding took over in 1754.
What did the Fielding’s do? (4)
- At first they charged fees and collected rewards but began to get paid in 1785 by government.
- Introduced new ways of finding evidence - the first modern detectives.
- Branched out patrolling major roads both on foot and horse.
- Shared information on crimes and suspects with others, developing a crime intelligence network.
What year was the police act?
What did it state.
1856 - Made professional police forces compulsory across the whole country. Aim of all activities was to deter crime.
19th century saw increasing feelings about punishment.
- Punishments should be equal to the crime committed
- Corporal and capital punishments were inhumane except for very serious crimes.
- Punishment should also be about rehabilitating the offender.
In the 1850s transportation to Australia slows down. Why is this? It ended in 1868.
- Australia no longer needed forced labourers (discovery of gold made it an attractive place) it didn’t want criminals.
- Some felt it was too expensive and not a strong enough deterrence.
- More prisons had been built and prisons were used increasingly.
The Goal Act led by John Howard was reached in what year? What did it improve?
How did Elizabeth Fry help?
1774 - improved prison conditions
Set up education classes to reform female prisoners, she also got them better food and clothes.
When was Pentonville prison built? Why was it built?
1842 - It was model prison.
