Early Modern Crime C18th

What was a significant change in the nature of crime and punishment in early modern Britain?

• Introduction of modern policing

• Abolishment of witchcraft trials

• Influence of Puritanism

• Decrease in organized crime

What was smuggling?

• Robbing stagecoaches on highways

• Stealing goods from local markets

• Bringing goods into the country secretly to avoid import duty

• Counterfeiting money

Why did smuggling become a big problem in the early 18th century?

• Strict law enforcement

• High import duties on goods

• Lack of interest in British goods

• Decrease in coastal patrols

Who were the 'venturers' in smuggling operations?

• People who transported goods to towns

• People who put up the money to buy goods

• People who carried goods to shore

• People who acted as lookouts

What was highway robbery?

• Robbing banks in towns

• Ambushing and attacking people traveling in stagecoaches

• Stealing goods from ships

• Breaking into homes

Why did highway robbery become more frequent during the 18th century?

• Strict law enforcement

• Increase in travel and wealth

• Decrease in road construction

• High cost of horses

What was a common characteristic of highwaymen?

• They were unarmed

• They only targeted poor people

• They used violence

• They operated in cities

Why did highway robbery decline by 1800?

• Expansion of London

• Increase in the number of banks

• Decrease in road construction

• Strict import duties

What role did Justices of the Peace (JPs) play in the decline of highway robbery?

• They reduced the number of patrols

• They increased import duties

• They refused to renew licenses of taverns protecting highwaymen

• They built more roads

What was one reason people did not see smuggling as a crime?

• It was heavily punished

• It was a quick way to make money

• It was difficult to smuggle goods

• It was only done by the poor