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

c1700–c1900: Crime and punishment in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Britain

This deck explores the significant changes in crime and punishment during the Industrial Revolution. It covers crimes like highway robbery, poaching, and smuggling, and changing attitudes exemplified by the end of witchcraft prosecutions and the case of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. You will learn about developments in law enforcement, including the work of the Fielding brothers and the creation of professional police forces and the CID. The deck also examines changing views on punishment, the end of the Bloody Code, transportation, and public execution, and the influence of prison reformers John Howard and Elizabeth Fry. Case studies focus on Pentonville prison's separate system and the pivotal role of Robert Peel.

A dimly lit medieval courtroom scene. A man stands before a stern-looking judge and jury, with a priest standing nearby holding a bible. Sunlight streams through a high window, casting long shadows across the room.

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Deck Contents

43 Cards
Lesson#1
Welcome to this deck on crime and punishment in 18th and 19th century Britain. This period, from 1700 to 1900, was a time of immense change, driven by the Industrial Revolution. Cities grew, trade expanded, and society was transformed. We'll explore how these changes affected crime, leading to a rise in offences like highway robbery and smuggling. We'll also see the birth of modern policing with the Bow Street Runners and Robert Peel's Metropolitan Police. Finally, we'll examine a revolution in punishment, as the brutal 'Bloody Code' gave way to transportation and the rise of the modern prison system.
Lesson#2
During the 18th century, some crimes became much more common. With more goods and people travelling on the roads, highway robbery became a major problem. Famous highwaymen like Dick Turpin became notorious figures. At the same time, high government taxes on imported goods like tea, wine, and brandy created a massive opportunity for smugglers, who brought these goods into the country illegally. Poaching, or hunting on private land, also remained a serious issue, seen by many poor people as a way to survive, but by landowners as a major crime against their property.
Quiz#3
What crime, made famous by figures like Dick Turpin, involved robbing travellers on public roads?

highway robbery

Quiz#4
What was the main reason for the increase in highway robbery in the 18th century?

more travel and trade

Quiz#5
High government taxes on imported goods like tea and brandy led to a significant rise in what crime?

smuggling

Quiz#6
What term describes the crime of illegally hunting animals on private land, which was a major issue in the 18th century?

poaching

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