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In Course: GCSE History (Edexcel): Crime, Punishment & Whitechapel

c1900–present: Crime and punishment in modern Britain

This deck covers crime and punishment from the 20th century to the present day. It examines continuity in crime alongside new offences related to cars, race, and drugs. You will learn about modern law enforcement, including Neighbourhood Watch, police specialisation, and the use of science and technology. The deck details major shifts in punishment, such as the abolition of the death penalty, the development of open prisons, specialised treatment for young offenders, and non-custodial sentences. Case studies explore the treatment of Conscientious Objectors in both World Wars and the Derek Bentley case and its impact on capital punishment.

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Deck Contents

32 Cards
Lesson#1
Welcome to this deck on crime and punishment in modern Britain, from 1900 to the present day. This period saw dramatic social and technological change, which created new opportunities for crime and new ways of tackling it. We'll explore how the motor car, computers, and changing social attitudes created new laws. We will also examine the huge shifts in policing and punishment, including the end of the death penalty. This is a crucial topic for understanding how the justice system we know today was formed.
Lesson#2
Let's begin with new types of crime. While old crimes like theft and violence continued, the 20th century introduced entirely new categories. The invention and mass ownership of the motor car led to a host of new laws and offences. Things that are now commonplace, like speeding, drink-driving, and driving without a licence, simply didn't exist before cars became widespread. These new laws were needed to manage the dangers and complexities of a society on the move.
Quiz#3
What new category of offences emerged in the 20th century due to the mass ownership of cars?

Driving offences

Lesson#4
Another major area of new crime came from technology. The development of computers and the internet from the late 20th century onwards created opportunities for what is known as cybercrime. This includes online fraud, hacking into secure systems, and spreading illegal content. This type of crime is challenging for police because it can be committed from anywhere in the world and requires highly specialised knowledge to investigate.
Quiz#5
What is the term for crimes committed using computers and the internet, such as hacking and online fraud?

Cybercrime

Lesson#6
Social changes also led to new laws. After the Second World War, immigration from Commonwealth countries increased. Sadly, this led to new tensions and racist attitudes. To combat this, the government passed laws making it illegal to discriminate against someone or incite racial hatred based on their ethnic group or race. These are known as race crimes or hate crimes.

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