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How useful are Sources A and B for an enquiry into the failure of the police to catch Jack the Ripper? Explain your answer, using Sources A and B and your knowledge of the historical context. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
How useful are Sources A and B for an enquiry into the failure of the police to catch Jack the Ripper? Explain your answer, using Sources A and B and your knowledge... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:How useful are Sources A and B for an enquiry into the failure of the police to catch Jack the Ripper? Explain your answer, using Sources A and B and your knowledge of the historical context. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Evaluate Source A
Answer
Source A suggests that the police are incompetent, as it depicts a blundering between two criminals rather than focusing specifically on Jack the Ripper. The source appears to criticize the police's investigative methods, hinting that their lack of direction contributed to their failure. However, it is essential to consider the source's context; it may be biased as it reflects public sentiment rather than facts.
Step 2
Evaluate Source B
Answer
Source B emphasizes the difficulties faced by the police due to inexperienced recruits. It implies that the failure to catch Jack the Ripper can be partly attributed to the lack of sufficiently trained personnel. This source may serve to inform readers of the prevailing opinion regarding police inefficiency, which adds to our understanding of why the investigation faltered.
Step 3
Historical Context
Answer
In analyzing both sources, we must consider the historical context of policing in Victorian London. Numerous challenges, such as lack of forensic techniques at the time and overlapping responsibilities between different police forces, hindered effective investigations. Furthermore, public pressure and media scrutiny created an environment that may have exacerbated the police's ineffectiveness.
Step 4
Conclusion on Utility
Answer
Both sources provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to the police's failure to apprehend Jack the Ripper. Source A highlights investigative incompetence, while Source B outlines the challenges posed by inexperienced officers. Together, these sources reveal critical aspects of the police failures, but should be interpreted with an understanding of their limitations and the broader historical context.