Whitechapel History| GCSE Final Review
Questions and Answers| Latest Version
2025| Correct and Verified
What made the Ripper’s letters such a big distraction in the case?
Most of them were probably fake, but the police had to check them all. It wasted loads of
time and led them in the wrong direction.
What were some early problems the police faced with keeping evidence secure?
Crime scenes were often messed up by crowds or officers themselves. People walked
through blood, touched stuff, or cleaned up too early, ruining evidence.
Why did some people think the police treated poor people unfairly in Whitechapel?
They were more likely to arrest the poor than the rich, and they didn’t understand the
struggles poor people were dealing with.
How did the environment of Whitechapel help create crime rather than stop it?
It was dark, dirty, crowded, and full of people with nothing to lose. That kind of setting made
crime feel like just part of daily life.
Why was Whitechapel seen as a tough place for police to do their job?
The streets were dark, crowded, and confusing, with loads of alleyways. People didn’t trust
the police, and crime was everywhere, so it was hard to keep control.
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What made the workhouse such a dreaded place for poor people?
It was strict and felt like a prison. Families got split up, food was awful, and you had to work
long hours. People only went there if they were truly desperate.
How did lodging houses make life harder for police?
Loads of people stayed in them just for one night, so it was hard to track anyone. If a crime
happened, witnesses had usually moved on the next day.
What role did alcohol play in crime in Whitechapel?
Drinking was super common because life was tough. It made people more likely to fight,
commit crimes, or not notice dodgy stuff going on around them.
Why were tensions high between different groups living in Whitechapel?
There were religious and racial differences, especially between Jewish immigrants and local
people. There was competition for jobs and housing, which caused arguments and suspicion.
How did the police try to improve things after the Ripper murders?
They started using more detailed interviews, house-to-house searches, and brought in more
officers. They realised they had to adapt to catch serious criminals.