Changing definitions of crime C1700-C1900

Question 1

smuggling: INCREASED FROM

Answer 1

• increased from 1740-1850
• Bringing goods to the country secretly to avoid tax and ten to sell it on.
• Started when import tax on certain goods was introduced
• Lead to smugglers such as the HAWKHURST GANG.
• Taxes were cut in the 1840s and smuggling decreased.

Question 2

witchcraft:

Answer 2

serious offence because people were afraid of it:
-1542- henry 8th made witchcraft punishable by death
-1563, elizabeth 1st changed the law so charges of witchcraft had to be tried in a common court
-1604. james 1st instructed the death penalty to be given to people ‘summoning evil spirits’
james also wrote the Book of Demonoligy

Question 3

Poaching

Answer 3

PART OF THE BLO0DY CODE
increased in the 18th century
lead to 1723 Waltham Black Act, which made poaching a capital crime, also made illegal to carry snares + hunting dogs in a poaching area.
-many poaching laws were repealed in 1823.

Question 4

Highway robberies:

Answer 4

Increased in the 18th century:

• improve roads=more people travelling
• increased trades between towns= more goods and money were transported
• roads were isolated, easy to get away

Question 5

Tolpuddle Martyrs

Answer 5

-staged a meeting discussing how they weren’t getting paid enough
-they were workers and farmers
-were dealt harshly, sent to
Australia