How Serious Were Crimes In The Indistrial Period Flashcards
What makes a crime serious?
Deliberate intent to cause harm or damage
Causes significant harm to the victim
Harms a large number of victims
Challenges the authority of the government
How serious was highway robbery?
Very serious as highway robberies created lots of economic disruption and were often violent. For example dick Turpin shot two men dead and was involved in robberies worth a total of more than £700. They also caused deliberate harm. However the crime became very rare by the 19th century
How serious was poaching?
Not very serious as poorer communities tolerated it and villagers often lied in court to protect poachers. It was viewed as a social crime and didn’t hurt anyone deliberately
How serious was smuggling?
Moderately serious as smuggling was not seen as serious by ordinary people as they were able to benefit and didn’t cause harm to them. However this did challenge the authorities and was seen as more serious to them. For instance, in 1784, prime minister William Pitt suggested that less than half(5.5 million pounds out of 13 million pounds) of so tea consumed in Britain cane through official custom-paying ports
