Crime and Punishment 1750 - 1900

Gustav Dore drew produced drawings which gave shocking views of the situation in the poorest areas of London.  Not everyone though Dore presented a balanced view of like in industrial London.  Some say he only focused on poverty.  He was accused by the Art Journal of 'inventing rather than copying.'

Massive economic and social changes took place after 1750 which led to an increase in crime and disorder.  Many of these crimes were crime against poverty and were committed by poor people struggling to survive.  The violent state of the worst slums meant that crimes against people increased too.

1800-15 - more soldiers protecting factories against LUDDITES - workers breaking machines that took their jobs.

Challenges to authority

• Poor living and working conditions - workers desperate for reforms.
• Revolution in France 1789 - encouraged some people in Britain to hope for similar change.
• People made more moderate demands - right to vote, strike and criticise the government.
• Government had no police force until 1829, so used soldiers to put down uprisings and revolutionary meetings.
• Government used laws to control people protesting at how Britain was run.

Governments dealt with unrest by attempting to repress any people and groups who seems to be challenging the way Britain was ruled - used laws and force.

1817 - habeas corpus was suspended - prisoners could be held without trial.