Essay Title: How significant was highway robbery as a form of industrial crime during the Industrial Revolution?

Introduction Thesis: Outline the importance of highway robbery as a prevalent form of crime during the Industrial period and its impact on society and law enforcement.

Point 1: The rapid expansion of roads and trade routes created more opportunities for highway robbers. Evidence: Increased trade meant more goods and valuables were transported, making them attractive targets for criminals.

Question: Outline the main causes of highway robbery during the Industrial era. (4 marks)

Point 2: Highway robbery affected trade and society by instilling fear and disrupting commerce. Evidence: Merchants and travelers avoided certain routes, leading to economic losses.

Question: Compare the effects of highway robbery on trade and society. (4 marks)

Counter-argument: Some believed that increased policing and the development of mounted patrols helped reduce highway robberies. Evidence: The establishment of highway patrols and improved policing efforts in the 19th century.

Question: Analyse the effectiveness of law enforcement in reducing highway robbery during the Industrial period. (5 marks)

Conclusion: Summarise how highway robbery reflected broader issues of crime, law enforcement, and social change during the Industrial era.

Question: Write a brief conclusion on the significance of highway robbery as an industrial crime. (3 marks)

Extra scaffolding questions to support essay development:

Question: Explain how technological advances in policing helped combat highway robbery. (3 marks)

Question: Compare the perceptions of highway robbery among different social classes. (4 marks)

Question: Analyse whether economic hardship was a major factor in the rise of highway robbery. (5 marks)