Mr H
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1. Changing crimes (2004) (25 marks) | Quote: | Source A: A late medieval drawing showing the hanging of a gang of thieves who stole from a church. Click to enlarge.
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| Quote: | Source B: From a report in 1734 about the problem of dealing with smugglers.
The smugglers pass back and forth between the sea shore and the town. There are 40 and 50 in a gang, in the daytime, loaded woth tea and brandy. |
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Source C: From an article published in The Guardian newspaper in 1997.
A scheme which brings young offenders face to face with their victims is a possible solution to youth crime. The Thames Valley Chief Constable said, 'We feel we need a system which isn't just about blaming people but actually helps them change their behaviour. How can you expect people to change if the system doesn't make them realise what damage they're doing?' |
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Source D: From an article about computer crime, written in 1991.
The growth of I.T. networks which can be accessed by telephone services has provided hackers with a target. They are prepared to spend hours trying to solve the fascinating puzzle of how to break into a commercial or government system. |
Question 1.
(a) Study Sources A, B and C.
What different reactions to crime are shown in these sources? Explain your answer, using the sources. (5)
(b) Use your own knowledge.
Explain why the Bloody Code was developed and ended. (10)
(c) Study Source C and use your own knowledge.
'There were no new crimes in the twentieth century, but there were many new versions of old crimes.'
Do you agree? Use the source and your own knowledge to explain your answer. (10)
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mudabbir
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answerA)
In the late medieval many crimes were given the death punishment. As well as major crimes like murder and treason petty crimes such as theft were given the punishment of hanging. But in 1734 a crime was introduced were only a few people were caught. The problem with smuggling was that the officers didn’t know how to deal with it. Everyone from the local peasants to the first president was smuggling in goods such as tea, brandy and tobacco.
In 1997 the Thames valley tried a new approach to young criminals. Instead of just hanging them the police would reason with the criminals and investigate why they were committing crimes. This scheme was introduced to help criminals.
So the change in reaction of crimes was due to the thinking of the system. From just hanging everyone in the late medieval to reasoning with criminals in 1997 has come about because of the softening of the system as too many crimes were given the death penalty.
B)
The bloody code was the increase of capital punishment rapidly in the 1600s. It came about because of the simple idea that criminals should be given a harsh punishment. Other factors affected the punishments including rise in population, policing, change in society and thinking of people. But the big overall idea was that criminals should be given a harsh punishment.
In some cases however the bloody code was not successful. For example in smuggling only a few people were caught because of the huge population that was taking part.
The abolishing of the bloody code was due to many factors. First public executions were becoming increasingly popular because of the advertising of the newspapers. The crowds grew and grew. As many got drunk the behavior got worse. Especially if someone popular was to be hanged there was the risk of riots or the escape of convicts. Secondly in the 1700s 40 percent of criminals were not convicted because the courts thought that death was too unfair.
In conclusion the bloody code began to reduce crime. It was abolished in 1820 after achieving its task successively.
C)
Yes there were no new crimes in the twentieth centaury, but there were many new versions of old crimes. In the twentieth centaury crimes such as theft, forgery, highway robbery and treason were introduced in many new forms. This was mainly due to the development of technologies such as cars and computers.
A new version of highway robbery is car theft. In the late medieval coaches were just as valuable as cars are now. These days though new cars have alarms as did rich people have bodyguards or guard dogs.
A new version of theft or forgery is on the internet. It is called hacking and involves people using a computer to find out peoples bank details and using them to withdraw money. Also blackmailing can be done which is another way of getting money.
In conclusion the new types of crimes were due to the development in transport and technologies.
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Mr H
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Well done, Mudabbir, continues to show great improvement. I am not going to give a detailed reply until some others put up their answers, you know what they are like for copying! However, here is a major hint - look at the number of marks being awarded for each question. The length of each answer should match this. 
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