Socially Accepted Crimes Flashcards
1300
Introduction of a customs duty on English wool
1614
Exporting wool made illegal
1643
Excise was introduced which was a tax on consumption (chocolate, coffee, tea)
1661
The export of wool was made punishable by death (hanging)
1688
Excise tax widened to include salt, soap and leather.
1671
The Game Act - Only the wealthy could poach. Ordinary people could not own poaching equipment or animals.
1690
Mounted customs officers established.
1700
The waterguard was established.
1723
The Black Act - Hunting deer, hare, etc punishable by death
1759
Cost of fighting wars led to increased imports.
1840
Taxes were reduxed again so smuggling was no longer profitable.
How much worth of tea was smuggled each year?
£3,000,000
3x more than the legal amount imported.
How did people react to smuggling?
People liked smugglers as they could get things for cheaper from them. Therefore people often helped them to hide in caves and etc.
How did people feel about poaching?
Poor economic conditions meant that people felt sympathy for the ordinary people who needed to poach for food.
Why did highway robbery increase?
In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, there were improvements in road construction which increased the usage of stagecoaches as well as ‘post boys’ who carried the mail. These were targets for highwaymen.
