history whitechapel key terms

lodging house

lodging house

a building that is converted into many rooms in which people could pay a small fee to sleep for the night

rookeries

areas filled with lodging houses in some of the poorest areas of london. these were often overcrowded and contained poor quality housing

sanitation

conditions related to public health, like sewage and running water

poor relief

the system of giving benefits to the poor

workhouse

a public institution whereby the poor would receive accommodation and food in return for work

casual ward

an area in a workhouse providing accommodation for those temporarily unable to support themselves

sweatshop

workshops where people were paid low wages and often had to work in poor conditions

fenian nationalism

a belief that ireland deserved independence from britain. individuals who believed in this form of nationalism felt that violence could be used to achieve independence from britain

socialism

a political belief in equality, it was believed that poor people would get a better deal if the government took over industries and services run for the goof and not for profit

anarchism

a political movement that opposes all forms of organised government

prostitute

a person who offers sexual activity in return for payment

brothel

a house where one or more prostitutes work

absolute poverty

when a person lacks the basics (food and shelter) needed to survive for any length of time

beat constable

the lowest rank of police officer whose usual duty was to walk the streets and detect the crime.

criminal investigation department

a department in the police force that employed detectives to investigate crimes. chief inspectors were in charge of the cid

watch committee

a group of local politicians or law professionals set up to monitor the work of police forces

protection racket

a system of taking money from people in exchange for agreeing not to hurt them. if payments was not given, gangs would often attack people’s shops or physically harm them

post mortem

a detailed examination of a person’s body to try and discover the cause of death

alibi

proof that an accused person was in some other place when a crime was committed

lunatic asylum

victorian term for a hospital which took in people with mental disabilities and difficulties

forensic

using scientific methods to investigate crimes

penny press

cheap newspaper which published sensationalist stories