Smuggling

Why Did People Smuggle?

The main reason people smuggled products such as tea and tobacco was because of the massive tax they held. Many people could not afford to buy the products, so were forced to buy smuggled goods, or even do some smuggling themselves.

Even respectable people became involved in smuggling, including Sir Robert Walpole, the prime minister, who would smuggle whiskey up the River Thames.

What Did People Think About Smugglers?

Many people saw smugglers as heroes at the time, as they helped businesses and poorer people, with…