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Tensions in Whitechapel
Why was there so much tension in Whitechapel?
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, tensions in Whitechapel were escalating, particularly between different ethnic groups.
Who were the Fenians?
Irish immigrants were often associated with Fenianism, and therefore seen as terrorists.
- ❖ There was a political movement of Irish nationalism at the time.
- ❖ The extremist members of this movement were called Fenians.
- ❖ In the second half of the nineteenth century, the Fenians committed a number of violent acts. For example, in 1867 they blew up the wall of Clerkenwell Prison, killing several civilians.
- ❖ The 24th January 1885 was 'Dynamite Sunday', when the Fenians tried to blow up several London landmarks.
- ❖ Many English people saw the Fenians as religious fanatics and terrorists, and they associated Irish immigrants with Fenianism. This caused tension and suspicion.
Who were the socialists?
One of the new political ideas that caused a problem in Whitechapel in the late nineteenth century was socialism.
- ❖ Socialism is the belief that life and countries should be more equal. They often campaign for workers' and women's rights.
- ❖ Some of the socialist groups in Whitechapel were radical and believed in revolution, and the overthrow of the government.
- ❖ The Social Democratic Federation was based in Whitechapel and was involved in the 1887 Bloody Sunday demonstrations.
- ❖ The SDF was anti-police and, when they campaigned for the London County Council elections, they made a particular point of criticising the shortcomings of the police.
- ❖ Many Socialist newspaper, the Arbeter Fraint (the Workers' Friends) was printed in Whitechapel by Eastern Europeans.
Who were the anarchists?
One of the new political ideas that caused a problem in Whitechapel in the late nineteenth century was anarchism.
- ❖ Anarchists were an anti-government, anti-authority group.
- ❖ In 1871 anarchists managed to briefly overthrow Paris. Many of the leaders escaped to London - and Whitechapel.
- ❖ The famous anarchist, Mikhail Bakunin, lived in Whitechapel and was observed by Special Branch from 1893.
Were there any demonstrations in Whitechapel?
There were an increasing number of strikes and demonstrations in London at this time, and the police did not always know how to react. The Bloody Sunday strike in 1887 is a famous example, and had heavy involvement by the SDF.
Tell me what happened on Bloody Sunday in Trafalgar Square?
The Trafalgar Square Bloody Sunday of 13th November 1887 didn't take place in Whitechapel, but involved groups that operated in it and influenced attitudes there.
- ❖ There were numerous protests and demonstrations in Trafalgar Square about government policy at the time, which tied up police resources.
- ❖ London Met Commissioner Charles Warren pressured the Home Secretary, Henry Matthews, to ban protests in Trafalgar Square.
- ❖ The response to this was a massive demonstration on the 13th November 1887. The police response was seen as brutal.
- ❖ By the end of the day there were two dead, 100 seriously injured, 45 arrests and 75 accusations of police brutality.
- ❖ The demonstration led to a row that resulted in the sacking of Warren at the height of the Ripper investigation.
- ❖ The SDF was heavily involved, and criticised the police heavily following the event.
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