Modern Britain Case Studies

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Conscientious Objectors During War

Conscientious Objectors became a new crime in the twentieth century following the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

Recruiting for WW1

In 1914, people were queuing up to join the army and fight in World War I.
However, by 1916 the number of volunteers had reduced, largely due to the reports from the frontline and the rising numbers of casualties.
As a result of the reduction in volunteers, the British Government introduced conscription.
- All men aged between 18 and 41 were required to enlist.
- Initially, this was all single men but it soon extended to married men too.

Conscientious Objectors

As many as 16,000 men refused to enlist as they were Conscientious Objectors.
They refused to fight mainly on moral grounds.
- They often cited religious reasons to support their refusal.
These men were frequently accused of cowardice.
- They were often made to wear a white feather and sometimes even beaten in the streets by others.

Punishing Conscientious Objectors

Special tribunals were set up to hear the cases of CO’s.
- Often the people that heard the case at the tribunal were retired soldiers and as a result, were not sympathetic.
Many convicted CO’s were placed in prison, where they undertook hard labour and a long sentence.

Conscientious Objectors in WW2

By World War 2, the treatment of CO’s had changed a little.
Tribunals would still hear the case but often those convicted would be found alternative non-combat roles to fight the war.
- For example, working on farms or working within the munitions industry.

Derek Bentley and the End of Capital Punishment

Bentley was sentenced with the death penalty in 1953. His death was a flashpoint which highlighted society's growing hostility towards capital punishment.

Derek Bentley

Bentley was hanged for the murder of a police officer in 1953.
Bentley suffered from epilepsy and severe learning difficulties, as a result, he struggled to find work and make friends.

Bentley's and PC Miles

In 1952 Bentley and Chris Craig were burgling a warehouse in London. Craig was carrying a gun and Bentley a knife. The police arrived and the pair were caught on the roof.
The police officer asked Craig to hand over the gun and Bentley is reported to have shouted ‘Let him have it Chris’.
- Craig fired at the officer injuring his shoulder.
More officers arrived on the roof and Craig fired again killing PC Miles.

Punishment for Bentley and Craig

Both Bentley and Craig were charged with murder.
Craig was under 18 and therefore was too young to hang for murder but Bentley would face the death penalty if found guilty.
The phrase ‘Let him have it’ caused controversy as it was claimed that Bentley could have meant Craig to hand over the gun not actually shoot the weapon.

Controversy over Bentley's punishment

Despite not actually firing the weapon Bentley was found guilty and sentenced to death.
- Many wondered whether he should actually have stood trial due to his low intelligence and learning difficulties.
There was public outcry at the sentence and people called for a pardon or reduction in sentence.
- This was refused and Bentley hanged. Many believed this to be a miscarriage of justice.
- The whole principle of the death penalty looked cruel and outdated and the case fuelled campaigns against capital punishment.

1Medieval England, 1000-1500

1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England

1.1.1Early Medieval Society

1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

1.2.1Enforcing the Law in Medieval Society

1.2.2Punishments in Medieval England

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Medieval Society

1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500

1.3.1The Church

1.3.2End of Topic Test - The Church

1.3.3Grade 9 - Medieval England

2Early Modern England, 1500-1700

2.1Changing Definitions of Crime

2.1.1Early Modern Society

2.1.2Crime in the Early Modern Period

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Crime

2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

2.2.1Punishments in Early Modern Society

2.2.2Law Enforcement in Early Modern Society

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Law Enforcement

2.2.4Grade 9 - Early Modern England

2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700

2.3.1Key Individuals

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies 1500-1700

2.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies From 1500-1700

318th & 19th Century Britain

3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.1Society in Industrial Britain

3.1.2Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Industrial Britain

3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

3.2.1Punishment in Industrial Society

3.2.2Punishment in Industrial Society 2

3.2.3Policing in the Industrial Period

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment

3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.1Changes to the Prison System

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.3Grade 9 - 18th & 19th Century

4Modern Britain, 1900-Present

4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.1Society in Modern Britain

4.1.2Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Modern Britain

4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

4.2.1Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.2Attitudes Towards Punishment

4.2.3Capital Punishment

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.5Grade 9 - Modern Britain

4.3Case Studies 1900-2000

4.3.1Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.2End of Topic Test - Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies 1900-2000

5Whitechapel Local Study

5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions

5.1.1Accommodation in Whitechapel

5.1.2Living Conditions

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Whitechapel Local Study

5.2The People of Whitechapel

5.2.1Alcohol & Immigration

5.2.2Prostitution

5.2.3Racial Tensions

5.2.4End of Topic Test - The People of Whitechapel

5.2.5Grade 9 - Whitechapel

5.3Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.1The Police Force in Whitechapel

5.3.2Jack the Ripper

5.3.3Challenges Facing the Police

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.5Grade 9 - Policing Whitechapel

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