c1700-c1900 crime in the 18th and 19th century

Question 1

Highway robbery

Answer 1

Highway robbery became common in the 18th century for a number of reasons:

1. Roads improved - more people travelling between towns
2. Increased trade - more goods and money being transported by road
3. Isolated roads, countryside was less populated.
4. Horses and guns more accessible for cheaper prices.

Question 2

Poaching (continuity)

Answer 2

Poaching increased in the 18th century and became more professionalised. Poaching gangs worked on a large scale and became more efficient and effective, prompting local authorities to make anti-poaching laws harsher.

The Waltham Black act 1723, made poaching punishable by death. It also made blackening your face illegal and owning hunting dogs, which were punishable by fines or a prison sentence.

Question 3

Smuggling (continuity)

Answer 3

Smuggling became more professionalised and profits became more obtainable and as such, gangs such as the Hawkhurst gang became more popular. Due to large coastal areas of England smuggling became hard to patrol. Items such as tea, brandy and wine were illegally imported.

Question 4

The decriminalisation of witchcraft

Answer 4

The witchcraft act 1746 was introduced during the reign of George II and made witchcraft no longer punishable by death. A growth in scientific ideas reduced superstition after the English Civil War.