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Jack the Ripper

GCSE History Coursework

Questions

This coursework has five questions. You MUST answer the questions carefully, and do as they ask.

Before you start, you should read about:

(a) The development of the police forces in Britain in the nineteenth century;

(b) Law and Order in London in the late nineteenth century;

(c) Whitechapel in the nineteenth century.

Introduction

In August 1888 the first of a series of murders was committed by a killer who became known as Jack the Ripper. To this day the identity of the killer remains a mystery. Five women were brutally killed in the East End of London, by a maniac who appeared to kill without warning and with no remorse.

Why was the Ripper able to get away with his murders? Why were the police powerless to stop him? 

These are some of the questions that you will be answering as you tackle this assignment.

SOURCE A: Part of an article in the East End Observer describing the murders of Martha Tabram and Polly Nicholls

The two murders which have so startled London within the last month are singular for the reason that the victims have been of the poorest of the poor, and no adequate motive in the shape of plunder can be traced. The excess of effort that has been apparent in each murder suggests the idea that both crimes are the work of a demented being, as the extraordinary violence used is the peculiar feature in each instance.

SOURCE B: Part of the Coroner’s report of the death of Polly Nicholls

The body has not been dissected, but the injuries have been made by someone who had considerable anatomical skill and knowledge. There are no meaningless cuts (like in the Tabram murder). It was done by one who knew where to find what he wanted, what difficulties he would have to contend with, and how he should use the knife. No unskilled person could have know where to find the organs, or to have recognised them when they were found. No mere slaughterer of animals could have carried out these operations.

SOURCE C: The report of Dr Frederick Blackwell on the body of Elizabeth Stride

The deceased was lying on her left side across the passage, her face was looking towards the right wall. Her legs were drawn up, her feet close against the wall of the right side of the passage.

The neck and chest were quite warm, as were also the legs, and the face was slightly warm. The hands were cold. The right hand was open and on the chest. It was smeared with blood. The left hand, lying on the ground, was partially closed, and contained a small packet of cachous [breath fresheners] wrapped in tissue paper. There was no money on the body.

The appearance of the face was quite placid. The mouth was slightly opened. In the neck there was a long incision which commenced on the left side, two and a half inches below the angle of the jaw, cutting the windpipe completely in two.

SOURCE D: The evidence of Elizabeth Long at the inquest into the death of Annie Chapman; she was describing the man seen talking to Annie before she was killed

He was dark complexioned and was wearing a deerstalker hat. I think he was wearing a dark coat but I cannot be sure. He was a man over forty, as far as I could tell. He seemed to be a little taller than the deceased. He looked to me like a foreigner, as well as I could make out. He looked what I should call shabby genteel.

SOURCE E: Part of an article published in a local newspaper after the murders of Polly Nicholls and Annie Chapman

My informant demanded at that time that the police force on the spot should be strengthened and some kind of order created on the streets by night. He warned that murder would ensue if matters were left as they were. He was referred from one police office to another, but without making any impression. Then came the first murder. He went again to the police and warned them that there would be more mischief unless they could clear the streets of the open and defiant ruffianism, which continued to make night hideous. Then came another murder.

The main thoroughfares of Whitechapel are connected by a network of narrow, dark and crooked lanes. Every one apparently containing some headquarters of infamy. The sights and sounds are an apocalypse of evil.

SOURCE F: A police leaflet published after the murders of Elizabeth Stride and Kate Eddowes

POLICE NOTICE

TO THE OCUPIER

On the morning of Friday, 31st August, Saturday 8th, and Sunday, 30th of September, 1888, women were murdered in or near Whitechapel, supposed by someone residing in the immediate neighbourhood. Should you know of any person to whom suspicion is attached, you are earnestly requested to communicate at once with the nearest Police Station Metropolitan Police Office, 30th September 1888.

SOURCE G: Part of a letter from the Home Secretary to the Mile End Vigilance Committee on 17 September 1888

The practice of offering reward for the discovery of criminals was discontinued some years ago because experience showed that such offers of reward tended to produce more harm than good. The Secretary of State is satisfied that there is nothing in the circumstances of the present case to justify a departure from this rule.

SOURCE H: Part of an article published in The Times after the murder of Mary Kelly

The murders, so cunningly continued, are carried out with a complete ruthlessness which altogether baffles investigators. Not a trace is left of the murderer, and there is no purpose in the crime to afford the slightest clue. All the police can hope is that some accidental circumstance will lead to a trace which may be followed to a successful conclusion.

SOURCE I: A map of the East End in 1888 showing the sites of the murders

Click to enlarge the map

SOURCE J: A photograph of the back yard of 29 Hanbury Street. Annie Chapman’s body was lying against the fence with her head on the step.

Questions

Maximum 1500 words.

Ye Olde Ripper Links

Intro

Task

Jack the Ripper Sites

Casebook - the ultimate Ripper site. You MUST spend some time reading this site.

Jack the Ripper - a nice simple site about the murderer.

A Spaniard is writing a book about the royal conspiracy. This is the page about the victims.

The Metropolitan Police page about the Ripper.

Raymond Chitolie's Serial Killer website has a case file about Jack.

The History buff has actual newspaper reports from the time - primary sources. 

Only in America....the web site of a Jack the Ripper Musical.

An audio-visual Ripper site from USA.

The Yanks made a comic about the Ripper which inspired the film 'From Hell' - this is a site about it.

Society, Crime and Punishment in Victorian times

The National Archives Learning Curve has a great website tracing the history of crime and punishment.

The history of the Metropolitan Police is presented on an excellent site.

The BBC History site has details about the lives of people in Victorian times. Learn about the poverty of the working people and the effects of disease and crime.