How did crime and punishment change in the modern period, c.1900 to the present day?
Crime and punishment in the modern period c.1900 to present: new crimes (cybercrime, terrorism, hate crime, driving offences), the abolition of the death penalty in 1965, the move towards rehabilitation and alternatives to prison, and the modernisation of policing with science and technology.
A focused answer on the modern section of the WJEC Crime and Punishment thematic study, covering new crimes such as cybercrime and terrorism, the abolition of the death penalty in 1965, the move towards rehabilitation, and the modernisation of policing.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the modern period of WJEC's Unit 3 thematic study, c.1900 to the present day. You need to explain the new crimes (cybercrime, terrorism, hate crime, driving offences), the abolition of the death penalty in 1965, the move towards rehabilitation and alternatives to prison, and the modernisation of policing with science and technology. As a thematic study, set these changes against the whole sweep of the theme.
New crimes of the modern period
The abolition of the death penalty
Rehabilitation and alternatives to prison
The modernisation of policing
Try this
Q1. When was the death penalty for murder abolished, and why? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. In 1965, reflecting a belief that punishment should reform offenders rather than take revenge, and concern over wrongful executions, completing the long move away from public, physical punishment.
Q2. Explain how policing was modernised in the modern period. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Forces grew and specialised, and used science and technology such as fingerprinting, DNA evidence, forensic science, CCTV and computers to detect and prevent crime, alongside efforts at community policing.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Wales (Unit 3)4 marksDescribe two new types of crime in the modern period.Show worked answer →
The thematic-study describe question (AO1). Reward two distinct, developed features, each with one supporting detail.
Feature one. Cybercrime, such as online fraud, hacking and identity theft, became possible only with computers and the internet, and is now a major and growing category of crime.
Feature two. Terrorism and hate crime are treated as serious modern crimes, with new laws to deal with politically and racially motivated violence that older systems did not recognise in the same way.
Top marks. Two distinct features, each developed with precise detail.
WJEC Wales (Unit 3)8 marksExplain why punishment changed in the modern period.Show worked answer →
The thematic-study explain question (AO1 and AO2). Reward a developed analysis of reasons, each with precise support.
Reason one. Changing attitudes: the belief that punishment should reform offenders, not just deter or revenge, led to the abolition of the death penalty in 1965 and a focus on rehabilitation.
Reason two. New alternatives: community sentences, probation, fines and electronic tagging were developed as alternatives to prison, especially for less serious crimes.
Reason three. New crimes and technology: cybercrime and terrorism required new laws and methods, and policing was modernised with science and technology.
Top band. Connect each reason to how punishment changed, and judge which mattered most.
Related dot points
- The new crimes of the early modern period (vagabondage, witchcraft, smuggling and heresy), the continuing reliance on amateur law enforcement, the harsher and more public punishments, and the influence of religion and economic change, c.1500 to 1700.
A focused answer on the early modern section of the WJEC Crime and Punishment thematic study, covering new crimes (vagabondage, witchcraft, smuggling, heresy), amateur law enforcement, harsher public punishments, and the influence of religion and economic change.
- Crime and punishment in the industrial period c.1700 to 1900: the Bloody Code and its decline, the end of public execution and the rise of the prison (Pentonville and reformers such as Elizabeth Fry), transportation to Australia, and the creation of the first professional police force, the Metropolitan Police of 1829.
A focused answer on the industrial-period section of the WJEC Crime and Punishment thematic study, covering the Bloody Code and its decline, the rise of the prison and reformers, transportation to Australia, and the creation of the Metropolitan Police in 1829.
- The long-term change and continuity in law enforcement (from amateur constables and the watch, to the 1829 Metropolitan Police, to modern scientific policing) and in the purpose of punishment (from deterrence and retribution, through prison, to rehabilitation), and the factors that drove change.
A focused answer on the long-term change and continuity in law enforcement and the purpose of punishment across the whole WJEC Crime and Punishment study, and the factors (such as religion, government, attitudes and technology) that drove change.
- The Welsh perspective on crime and punishment: the Rebecca Riots of the 1840s as a Welsh protest crime, the Merthyr Rising of 1831 and Dic Penderyn, the impact of poverty and industry on crime in Wales, and how the Welsh context illustrates the wider themes of change and continuity.
A focused answer on the Welsh perspective in the WJEC Crime and Punishment thematic study, covering the Rebecca Riots, the Merthyr Rising and Dic Penderyn, and how the Welsh context illustrates the wider themes of change and continuity.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE History (Wales) specification (3100) — WJEC (2017)