 Whereas the common law protected habitation and sources of wealth and food in a largely agricultural society , the Industrial Revolution , especially the Luddism resulting from workers ' perceived threats to their livelihood , required new legislation to match the circumstances . The reaction of Parliament to Luddism was to criminalise machine @-@ breaking – the destruction of textile @-@ making machinery – as early as 1721 . Initially the punishment was transportation to the Colonies but as a result of continued opposition to mechanisation the Frame @-@ Breaking Act of 1812 made the death penalty available . 
