Industrial Period Flashcards
When was the Peterloo Massacre?
1819
How many people were killed and injured in the Peterloo Massacre?
18 killed and 700 injured
What led to the Peterloo Massacre?
In 1819, 50,000 pro-democracy demonstrators came together in a peaceful rally due to voting rights in Manchester, the meeting was later broken up by hundreds of soldiers and the Army, which led to many losing faith/trust in the army
Prison in the early 1700s?
- Badly Maintained due to negligence of the unpaid wardens
- Overcrowded: many were unable to pay the fee set by the Gaoler
- Around 1000 prisoners died every year
- Corrupt: wardens weren’t paid so charged the prisoners for necessities
- Many came out worse than when they arrived since all crimes were mixed together
What did Elizabeth Fry do?
- In Newgate Prison (1817) she provided items for the women so that they were able to sew and knit in order to sell them to make profits
- She set up a prison school for their children to give them something to do as well as provide warm clothing and straw for the sick and children
How did Elizabeth Fry change things in prisons?
In 1818, Elizabeth was asked to speak to the people in Parliament about the prisons which lead to the 1823 Gaol Act being passed.
What improvements were made by the 1823 Gaols Act?
- Separation between criminals
- Gaolers now get paid
- Prisons get visits from a Chaplain for reformation
Why is the 1823 Gaols Act so significant?
It symbolises a turning point in which attitudes toward prisons have changed and members of Parliament may now start to focus more on reformation
How many Capital Crimes were reduced in 1825?
100, shows a change in attitude
1827 Black Act?
Prevented the use of the death penalty for all crimes apart from Treason and Murder
Who was John Howard?
In 1773, he was appointed High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and inspected the county prison and was disturbed by the conditions
What did John Howard do to Help prisons?
- Due to his reputation with the imprisoned, he was able to single-handedly intervene in a riot in the Savoy Military Prison
- In 1774, he was called into the House of Commons Select Committee to give evidence on prison conditions
What improvements were made in Prisons due to John Howard?
His evidence given to the House of Commons Select Committee was able to help introduce the 1774 Gaols Act which encouraged Health and Sanitation
What were Sir Robert Peel’s aims?
- He wanted a system aimed at preventing crimes and reforming criminals rather than focusing on punishments used as a punishment (retribution/deterrent)
What did Robert Peel do?
- Helped reduce the number of Capital Crimes by 100 in 1825
- He helped Elizabeth to Persuade Parliament to pass the 1823 Gaols Act
- Set Met Police up
Who set up the Bow Street Runners and when?
Henry Feilding in 1748, which was eventually carried on by John Feilding in 1754
Who were the Bow Street Runners?
They were reformed Theif Takers, who were mostly corrupted and had a questionable reputation. The BSR worked under Theif Taking Laws. Their aim wasn’t only deterrence but catching criminals as well. Around 3000 criminals were caught by Bow Street Runners.
Why were BSRs so effective?
They were the First Officially Paid Law Enforcement and Modern Detective Force
Why did the BSRs turn into a Police Force?
- There was unsettlement after the French Revolution and French Wars due to many Protests of Unemployment and High Food Prices. Which led to a widespread belief that crime was on the rise
- Population was rapidly increasing in London: Between the 18th and 19th Century
( Which both lead to disbelief in the Adequacy of the BSR )
When did the BSRs turn into a Police Force?
Robert Peel set up the Metropolitan Act in 1829
What were the Pros of the new Police Force?
- Police were paid 21 shillings per week (incentive)
- Crime Rate started Decreasing Rapidly
- They wore distinct Uniforms which separated them from the army to show that they weren’t taking away freedom
- There were different departments:
Detective Department - 1842
Criminal Investigation Department - 1878
What were the Cons of the new Police Force?
- Police were required to patrol routes Routinely which could be memorised
- Within 4 years 2238/2800 of them were fired for being drunk
- Within Several Years 80% of the Police Force were sacked since they used violence and the ‘baton’ too much
- A lot of Police Time was spent with Beggars
- Police were often used to do Demonstrations which often turned into riots which lead to the army having to be called into Hyde Park in 1866
When was it made Compulsory for all Counties to have a Police Force?
1856
Between 1788 and 1868, how many people were transported to Australia?
162,000
Pros of Transportation 1800s?
- Less Overcrowding in Prisons
- Removal from Society
- Useful Work for Australia which was a part of the British Empire now
Cons of Transportation in the 1800s?
- By the 1830s, it was costing 0.5million pounds per year to transport Criminals
- Many saw it as an opportunity to leave England and Settle Down in Australia after their sentence since the maximum was 14 years
- Crime Rate was increasing in England
When was Transportation Abolished?
1868
Decline in Witchcraft?
Many were educated now and no longer believed in Witchcraft
When was the Witchcraft Act Repealed?
1736
By the mid-1700s, how many active smugglers were there in England?
20,000