Crime. Punishment, Law Enforcement c1700-c1900

Question 1

How did smuggling continue?

Answer 1

1700s - smuggling increased because more goods were taxed and there was a growth of smuggling gangs

Question 2

How did smuggling change?

Answer 2

1780 - William Pitt lowered import duties and lowered them again in the 19th century so there was less difference in price so smuggling dropped dramatically

Question 3

What was Highway robbery ?

Answer 3

Threatening and attacking travellers, forcing them to hand over their valuable possessions

Question 4

Highway robbery continuity?

Answer 4

More common in 18th century
Trade increased, more need to move goods around so business people and ordinary travellers carried large sums in cash
Roads improved which led to more travel and countryside much less populated so robberies could take place.
Crime was committed on King’s highway

Question 5

Highway robbery changes?

Answer 5

1772 - death penalty introduced for anyone armed and in disguise on a high road
1815 - the crime was less common because increased mounted patrols on major roads and growth of bank system so less need for people to carry large sums in cash

Question 6

How did poaching change?

Answer 6

1723 Black Act - made poaching a capital offence: illegal to blacken face, carry snares/own hunting dogs - punished by fines or prison sentence
1823 Black Act - poaching still illegal not punishable by death

Question 7

How did witchcraft decriminalise?

Answer 7

George II - Witchcraft Act decriminalised witchcraft as people no longer believed in witches

Question 8

How did the death penalty decline?

Answer 8

The Bloody Code increasingly questioned in the 19th century

Question 9

How did transportation to Australia decline?

Answer 9

. After 1783, prisoners sent to Australia
. People believed ex-convicts responsible for high crime levels in some Australian towns
. Convict ships (hulks) seen as inhumane
. Australia becoming a desirable ace to live so no longer a deterrent
. More prisons built in Britain, no need for transportation anymore
ENDED IN 1868

Question 10

What were the key events of the Tolpuddle Martyrs?

Answer 10

. George Loveless arrested in February 1834
. Him and five others accused of administering an illegal oath
. Real motive for their arrest was to stop their political activities
. They had formed a friendly society which was an early form of trade union
. They wanted to protest about their low wages
. Sentenced to Australia for 7 years and conditions on ship were harsh.
. A deterrent
. Government pardoned them after 4 years and they returned home

Question 11

Why did public executions end?

Answer 11

. Attracted large crowds
. Had a carnival atmosphere
. Local traders and shopkeepers enjoyed extra trade on hanging days
. Treated as a festive occasion
. Reformers argued it was inhumane
. Drunk crowds
. Fun spectacle for most
. Treated criminal as hero
. Provided opportunities for pickpocketting and prostitution
ENDED IN 1868

Question 12

How did prison reform?

Answer 12

Before 18 century: prisons used to hold suspects in run-up for trial or awaiting execution
Mid 19 century: prisons viewed as suitable alternative punishment for offenders - rehab and deterrence to other people. Prison sentence involved hard work to pay back society. Removal and common form of hard labour was the treadwheel in separate booths.

Question 13

What were parish constables?

Answer 13

. Dealt with disorderly behaviour, petty criminals and beggars

Question 14

Who were watchmen?

Answer 14

Watchmen organised by parish constables and were responsible for protecting private property

Question 15

Who were part time soldiers?

Answer 15

Used to deal with rebellions and riots

Question 16

What was the Bow Street Runners?

Answer 16

Set up in 1748 by the Fielding Brothers
A small team of volunteers to attend crime scenes and detect criminals
Appointed thief takers as ‘principal officers’.
Published wanted persons in local journal
They charged fees at first and then government paid in 1785
1st modern detective force

Question 17

What were the developments in police forces?

Answer 17

. 1829 - England’s first professional police force established in London
. Metropolitan police Act - gave London a uniformed police force
. 17 districts across London, each had it’s own division with 4 inspectors and 144 constables
. Focus on deterrence
. Robert Peel keen that police viewed in positive light blue overcoats and top hats
. 1856 Police Act - All police forces inspected by gov. officials and centrally controlled
. 1869 - first National Crime Records set up, new tech could share info quickly

Question 18

What was the Seperate system and Pentonville prison?

Answer 18

. Built in 1842 as a prototype
. Prisoners lived in separate cells
. Seperate system intended to provide opportunities for individual improvement
. Give prisoners solitude and encourage reform
. Floor area 4m×2m, thick iron bars, small window, small toilet, small basin for washing
. Were let out for exercise or chapel in seperate cubicles with brown sacks over head

Question 19

What were Peel’s penal reforms?

Answer 19

He advocated a system aimed at preventing crimes and reforming criminals
He reformed penal code by reducing number of crimes punishable by death by 100 and many minor crimes punished more proportionally

Question 20

What was the 1823 Gaols Act?

Answer 20

Prisoners to receive regular visits from prison chaplains
Gaolers should be paid
Female prisoners to be watched by female warders
Prisoners not held by chains

Question 21

What were criticisms of the new police force?

Answer 21

Cartoons portrayed them as poorly trained, recruited from dubious backgrounds, and having immoral tendencies
They thought police would limit their individual liberties
Worried they would be a military style presence on the street and French-style policing being introduced in Britain