The Role Of Theft In The 19th Century

Personally, I believe that the overwhelming number of historical cases of theft conducted by the poor can be attributed to a whole host of potential motivations. Firstly, the motivation to survive, many of those who were distinguishable as impoverished were often unable to live subsistent. Nevertheless theft was perceived and punishable in a very serious manner. However, the economic climate of the 18th and 19th century was begin to boom as a result of industrialization. The overwhelming pressure to cater to the emerging notion of consumerism promoted further potential for crime to arise, because the poor would often engage in pickpocketing or begging, whereas women often engaged in shoplifting to acquire goods for her family to outwardly

demonstrate to your neighbours and society of your social status. In addition, the overwhelming speed of consumer development and technological advances furthered all citizens of all classes to engage in consumerism. Also, with urbanization, industrialization, population growth, all factors may have contributed to the rise in crime, specifically theft. Primarily in the 18th century and extending into the 18th century the cultural phenomenon of consumerism altered many traditional social attitudes and beliefs. The consumerist society skewed society’s perception of what is necessary for survival and what is desirable. The immense marketing, supply and social pressure to consume was (I’d imagine) exceptionally overbearing. In closing, the blurred line between what is necessary for survival, such as; food, water, shelter, clothing were competing for citizen’s wildest wants and desires, many of which could not afford.