Modern Crime And Punishment Flashcards
When did highway crime develop?
It started around in the civil war (1642-1649) and by the early 18th century, it has become infamous.
How did crime change in the 18th and 19th century?
Highway robbery
Smuggling
Poaching became a capital crime
Why did highway robbery decline?
Banking system became more sophisticated, fewer travellers carried large amounts of money
JPs refused to licence taverns frequented by highway men
Mounted patrols set up around London
High rewards encouraged reporting on activities of highwaymen
Why did highway robbery grow?
Road surfaces improved, coaches became more frequent
More people were travelling in their own coaches
Handguns became easier to obtain and quicker to fire and reload
Stagecoaches were introduced with staging posts and tired horses were chanced and travellers can rest
Many lonely areas outside of towns and rough roads slowed down coaches
Highwaymen could hide and sell their loot in Taverns
Horses became cheaper
Police or Constables didn’t track across the country
Demobilised soldiers couldn’t find honest ways to make money
What did the authorities pass about poaching?
1723 black act
Hunting deer, hare or rabbits is a capital crime
Anyone found armed, disguised or with blackened faces were assumed to be poaching
Law about poaching
Only people who owned land with more than 100 quid a year could hunt anywhere. Other than that, they weren’t allowed to hunt, even on their own land. Owning dogs or snares for hunting might be punishable by a 5 pound fine or 3 months in prison
Who were the poachers and why did they poach.
Most were poor and needed it for food or to sell for a bit of money. Also a minority of better off poachers who hunted for sport and entertainment.
Demand for poached meat
Gangs of poachers supplied the black market supplied the meat and demand grew as people’s diets grew more sophisticate. It became very profitable.
What was smuggling?
Bringing products and consumer goods without being taxed, providing income for the government which is why it was taken very seriously.
Why was smuggling hard to stop?
It was a quick and exciting way for poor labourers to earn 6 or 7 times their normal daily wage. It also offered an alternative to declining jobs such as cloth-making and fishing.
Ordinary people turned a blind eye to it due to cheaply goods. Could also get paid twice the daily wage if they helped smugglers.
Smuggling gangs were organised, consisted of 50-100 men.
Gangs had a good network of traders who were willing to sell smuggled goods
Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs?
A group of labourers who set up an union (the friendly society of agricultural labourers) in 1833. They swore an oath of secrecy and support for the union.
How was the GNCTU broken up?
Local farmers heard about the union, they used an old sailor law in which swearing an oath was illegal due to potential mutinies. The government used it for all parts and sentenced 6 people to 7 years transpiration in Australia. The trade union movement was hit as it was risky to set up.
How did the 6 men (Tolpuddle martyrs) come back?
There was a petition, signed by 250,000 people, and a meeting attended by 25,000 people demanding the release of the 6 men. In March 1836, they were granted a pardon and came back 2 years later. It took another 20 years till another trade union movement began
How did society change in the industrial period? (1)
Population change- 1750 (9.5 million population), 1900 (41.5 million population) of England and Wales
Work- 18th century, most people made a living from farm work. 19th century- people mostly found employment in workshops or factories, worked over into towns and cities.
Voting rights- mid 18th century, 1 in 8 men could vote. 1885, nearly all men had the right
Harvests- smaller chance of poor harvest, food can be imported
Travel- transport went under major changes, railways became a major form of travel, better than roads and became cheap enough so ordinary people could afford it
How did society change in the industrial period?
Wealth and taxes- 2 centuries of trade and industrial growth made Britain a wealthy country, more taxes collected which can be used to improve human lives
Education- 18th century, few children attended school. By 1850, 70% of the population could read and write and by 1900 it rose to 95% after a law in 1880 making it compulsory for children to go school until the age of 13
Growing acceptance of government involvement due to benefits
New ideas about human nature such as improving human lives which will encourage better behaviour and evolution, leading to people believing i a criminal class
Who were the Bow Street runners?
A police force set up by the fielding brothers who patrolled the streets of London, set up a horse patrol with highwaymen and setting up the hue and cry, newspaper.
Why was Robert Peel able to set up the Metropolitan Police force in 1829?
Peel was determined to improve people’s lives by reducing crime
Government provided funding a police force
Increased crime and fear of crime
Fear of protests like French Revolution
London and other town’s rapid growth made watchmen and Constables seem inadequate
Why did people believe transportation would be successful?
Provide a punishment less harsh than death Be harsh enough to deter people Reduce crime by removing criminals Help claim new land of Australia Reform criminals
Why was transportation good?
Helped Australia become a big part of the empire
Many juries failed to convict criminals for death, more willing to do this instead
