Whitechapel Flashcards
key words and dates for whitechapel topic
When was there an influx of Irish immigrants to Whitechapel? And what were they like?
1840s - most ended up near docks where it was cheapest, working as navies. They had a reputation for being drunk, violent and related to terrorist groups
When were there attempted revolutions across Europe?
1848 - many revolutionaries such as socialists and anarchists lived in the poorer parts of London like Whitechapel. They were feared by the upper class and supported by the poor
When was the Artisan and Dwellings act? What was it?
1875 - aimed to clean up rookeries and create new, cheap housing for the poor (linked to the Peabody trust) Gave local authorities the right to buy and demolish slums
When were Barnardo’s homes opened?
1880 - they cared for young orphans in much better conditions than workhouses
When was the Peabody Estate? What was it?
1881 - 11 flats built by the Peabody Trust with reasonable rent to try and improve living conditions
When was there an influx if European immigrants?
1880s - mostly Jews from Russia and Poland escaping persecution
Who is Charles Booth and when was his survey?
1886 - poverty map of London
When did parts of Whitechapel have high amounts of Jewish population and what was the % in some places?
1888 - 95%
How did unemployment lead to crime?
low/ no income led to stealing for survival by people desperate to avoid the workhouse, others turned to prostitution as a last resort
How did alcoholism lead to crime?
Little to no work led to people going to public houses a lot, many depending on alcohol to live. This led to violent behavior
What were some causes of violence?
High levels of prostitution and alcohol consumption led to lots of violence against women as well as hate and racial tension leading to foreigners being attacked or blamed
How did racial tension lead to crime?
Overcrowding led to violence between grouos over housing and jobs. Jewish immigrants accepted lower pay which led to an increase in sweatshops. Anti-semetism increased
Lodging Houses
Lodgers payed a nightly fee for a bed and kitchen. Squalid. 25% of people in Whitechapel were lodgers
Rookeries
Slum housing, most of Whitechapel. Overcrowded with poor sanitation
Workhouses
All were fearful of ending up in a workhouse. Bed and food in return for hard labour, sort of a punishment for being poor. Families were split up and the ‘inmates’ had to wear a uniform. Elderly, orphans, ill, disabled, unmarried mothers.
Dr Barnardo
Set up homes for orphaned children and schools for poor children
Prostitution
Large amounts of women selling themselves for sex due to alcoholism and unemployment. Vulnerable
Unemployment
High numbers of people without works due to a large population. Led to drinking in ‘spare’ time
Sweated trades
Long hours, low pay, poor conditions (cramoed and dirty)
Bryant and May
Match factory, poor pay and dangerous conditions Bone cancer ‘phossy jaw’ due to inhaling chemicals
Navvies
Workers on railways or dockyards, work was irregular
Alcoholism
Rife among prostitutes, the poor and unemployed. Navvies and Irish immigrants known for drinking
Terrorism
Groups carrying out atacks on the authority
Fenians
Irish terrorists who wanted Irish independence from Britain. Feared by authorities
Revolutionaries
Wanted to overthrow the authorities across Europe
Anarchists
Opposed organised governments, anti-rules / laws
Socialists
Want to end capitalism, supported by workers and poor
Fluctuating Population
Many temporary residents who didn’t want to create a sense of community in Whitechapel
Eastern European immigrants
Mainly Russian and Polish Jews. Tended to stick together within areas - had their own social clubs ect. - caused segregation
Jews
Seen as foreign, some areas had up to 95%
Anti-semitism
Rapid rise in hatred towards Jewish people and violence towards them
Foreigners
Blamed for rise in crime such as murde and violence
