Tensions in Whitechapel- Anarchism and Socialism

Anarchism: the political idea that people would be better off without the government and without laws

Within Europe, there were a series of attempted assassinations and bomb attacks which the newspapers blamed on anarchists. The idea of anarchism was developed by Russian revolutionaries  and therefore some politicians emphasised the treat of Jewish immigration and radicalism. Furthermore, this encouraged the authorities and public to be suspicious of Jewish immigrants that fled into England in large numbers- fleeing from Russia after facing persecution. 

Rumors of a Russian anarchist Jew was responsible for similar murders in France and was now living in England circulated. There was no serious connection between the anarchist and the Ripper murder but the police were worried about their ability to keep an eye on the activities of the Jews in Berner street especially as many were carried out in Yiddish

Socialism: a political and economic system in which property and resources are owned and controlled by the state

Some Jewish immigrants brought radical political beliefs and, to the fear of the authorities who feared a socialist movement which could could perhaps encourage unrest and revolution, set up socialist organisations, newspapers, strikes and demonstrations (demanding shorter working hours and better pay in workshops). The police in Whitechapel were busy dealing with such groups. 

Some people began to blame the ripper murders on a Jewish man when the body of a victim was found in the yard of one of the theaters in which a socialist newspaper was set up

Tensions in Whitechapel- Immigration

The main immigration into Whitechapel was Irish Immigration and Eastern European Jewish Immigration. 

Irish Immigration 
When did they immigrate to the East End? 
Since the early nineteenth century but there was a rise in the 1840s.

Why did they immigrate? 
Irish Immigration rose in 1840 due to the Irish Potato famine.
 In general, They aimed to find work as "navvies". This meant to be a labourer on canals, roads and railways. Whitechapel in particular was attractive to large number of settles because of the cheap lodgings and closeness to the docks.

Why did this immigration cause tensions?
"Nature" of the Irish: They were hard drinking which led to violent behavior and therefore unpopular with the rest of the community
Religion:Targets of prejudice as they were Catholics
Fenians: During this time, Ireland was under British rule. However, many of the Irish wanted independence. A group of Irish that held this belief were called Fenians. There was a rise in this Fenian Irish Nationalism and in 1884 they began a bombing campaign. Few hurt but this led the public to believe the Irish were violent criminals and potential terrorists. Furthermore, a new police department, Special Branch dealt with Irish Terrorism.

Eastern European Jewish Immigration 
When did they immigrate to the East End? 
30,000 arrived in London between 1881-91

Why did they immigrate to the East End? 
The assassination of Tsar Alexander II led to Russian Jews being persecuted in Russia. This caused many to flee to England in large numbers

Why did this immigration cause tensions? 
It was harder for them to integrate into the community than it was for Irish Immigrant due to the language barrier (most spoke only Yiddish) the cultural and religious differences (Religious Holidays and Sabbath Rituals). This lead to segregation as Jewish immigrants ended up working for more established Jewish employers (usually in sweatshops) and therefore they were apart from the community and a target for prejudice.

Jewish settlers were widely resented by the local population because of the cultural differences and conflicting attitudes to work and business.
Jewish people were often successful, hardworking new immigrants who were desperate for work and will work for low wages. Many ran businesses in sweatshop models- which were illegal so could sell at lower prices than businesses that followed government rules about fair working conditions. Furthermore, the Jewish holy day was Saturday not Sunday meaning they could work Sundays when others couldn't.

Tensions in Whitechapel

Why did people fear crime in Whitechapel? 
- There was this belief in this criminal underclass. People believed criminals were "naturally born criminals" who set out to make a living out of crime
- People were worried that the overcrowded,  unhealthy conditions in lodging houses or pubs would cause criminal behavior to spread to decent people
- Whitechapel had a reputation of drunk people. Drunk people tended to more violent and aggressive. Furthermore, drunk victims could possibly be more vulnerable