Opposition to the Poor Law

Question 1

What was the Act a product of?

Answer 1

Ideological prejudice

Question 2

What did the Act ignore?

Answer 2

Realistic criticisms regarding the financial implications of building large-scale infrastructure

Question 3

Who were the criticisms felt by?

Answer 3

People both within and outside of Parliament

Question 4

What did the Tories object and why?

Answer 4

• The centralised nature of the new system, felt it undermined the existing independence of the local magistrates
• New system ignored the ‘poor unfortunates’ who didn’t have the same advantages of some in society

Question 5

What did the political views suggest?

Answer 5

• Views went beyond party politics and addressed a growing perception that those in power had little regard for the poorest in society

Question 6

Where did initial opposition come from?

Answer 6

Southern counties

Question 7

What happened in the southern counties?

Answer 7

Riots in 1835

Question 8

What happened in Bedfordshire?

Answer 8

Violent riot involving 300-500 people, demanded ‘money and blood’ and attacked officials in the area

Question 9

What happened in Suffolk?

Answer 9

Workhouse attacked by a mob of 200

Question 10

What were riots prompted by?

Answer 10

Removal of outdoor support

Question 11

Why did the riots fail?

Answer 11

Not well organised, nor united in their efforts

Question 12

Was there a problem with the Poor Law in the North

Answer 12

Not as much as more people were employed in industrial areas

Question 13

Which MPs were against the PLAA?

Answer 13

Michael Sadler and Richard Oastler