Industrialisation essay
What, if any, was the impact of Industrialisation on crime in Britain in the 19th Century?
Industrialisation in Britain, was the process of social and economic change that transformed the country from an agrarian society into an industrial one. Industrialisation, without doubt increased crime through the bringing of greater opportunity for criminals. As society got wealthier, the gap between the rich and poor further increased thus leading to tension between the two classes. The upper class, believed industrialisation had created a new ‘criminal’ class, whereas, the lower classed believed only the rich were benefitting from industrialisation.
One of the impacts of industrialisation was urbanization, which is the movement of people into cities. The creation of factories, meant workers wanted to live closer to the factories where they were employed. Urbanization, however, led to overpopulation which meant there was a severe shortage in housing which in turn increased poverty. Poverty, in many cases is the root of crime as people had to turn to the criminal world in order to survive. Furthermore, the overcrowding also led to the formation of rookeries which gave criminals a place to evade law enforcement. Also, it enabled them to distribute the proceeds of their criminal activities also known as ‘fencers’.
Additionally, the construction of the railroad system revolutionized the life of the career criminal as it allowed them to commit crimes in cities where the police were not familiar with them and then return to their homes. It also brought more opportunities to the criminals, as many crimes were committed on the railroad premises. Muggings and pickpocketing, especially were increased through the close proximity of great amounts of people.
To conclude the continued expansion of industrial capitalism throughout most of the second half of the century laid the basis for the relative stabilisation of relations between the social classes. The middle class gradually
Industrialisation in Britain, was the process of social and economic change that transformed the country from an agrarian society into an industrial one. Industrialisation, without doubt increased crime through the bringing of greater opportunity for criminals. As society got wealthier, the gap between the rich and poor further increased thus leading to tension between the two classes. The upper class, believed industrialisation had created a new ‘criminal’ class, whereas, the lower classed believed only the rich were benefitting from industrialisation.
One of the impacts of industrialisation was urbanization, which is the movement of people into cities. The creation of factories, meant workers wanted to live closer to the factories where they were employed. Urbanization, however, led to overpopulation which meant there was a severe shortage in housing which in turn increased poverty. Poverty, in many cases is the root of crime as people had to turn to the criminal world in order to survive. Furthermore, the overcrowding also led to the formation of rookeries which gave criminals a place to evade law enforcement. Also, it enabled them to distribute the proceeds of their criminal activities also known as ‘fencers’.
Additionally, the construction of the railroad system revolutionized the life of the career criminal as it allowed them to commit crimes in cities where the police were not familiar with them and then return to their homes. It also brought more opportunities to the criminals, as many crimes were committed on the railroad premises. Muggings and pickpocketing, especially were increased through the close proximity of great amounts of people.
To conclude the continued expansion of industrial capitalism throughout most of the second half of the century laid the basis for the relative stabilisation of relations between the social classes. The middle class gradually