3.2 Poverty Flashcards
What happened to England’s birth and death rate in the 16th century ?
Birth rate rose and death rate fell
Did the population grow during the 16th century?
Grew by 1million people , from 3 to 4 million
What happened to food markets because of an increase in population?
Food production didn’t keep up with population growth , as a redult food prices rose and there were many food shortages
Why was there food shortages in 1550s and 1560s ?
Several poor harvests , which led to shortages and made prices rise even more causing serious hardship.
What did the government sign 1563 which made the lives of workers more difficult?
Statute of artificiers , which set a daily maximum wage for skilled workers . This made life even more difficult as it stopped wages from matching the price increases
What were the two types of poor!
Impotent(deserving poor) -unable to work
Able bodied poor(idle poor)-able to work and treated harshlu
How much did food prices rise ?
500%
How much did prices rise?
240%
How much did wages rise?
170%
What were the standards of living like in the 50s and 60s?
Prices for food and other goods rose much more quickly than wages. This led to many people being unable to afford necessities, many forced into poverty
What happened to property prices ?
Because of rapid population growth , there was growing competition for land and so rents increased. This was made worse by farming practices
How did Henry VIII reign effect elizabeth financially?
He had financial problems. He debased the currency , he issued coins that were not pure gold and silver but cheaper metals mixed in. Businesses believed the coinage was worth less so they put up prices . This was a major problem for elizabeth .
What were traditional farming methods?
Many farmers renting strips of land in large open fields. The was subsistence level farming.
What was subsistence farming?
Each farmer only grew enough crops to supply himself and his family. This farming was inefficient, and by the 16th century land owners began changing their farming techniques to make more money
What was the change in farming during the 16th century ?
Exporting wool to europe was very profitable so many land owners stooped growing grain and began farming sheep . The fall in grain production led to food shortages and prices rises. The landowners brought massive amounts of land to make it efficient leading to many homeless people who were evicted and left unemployed
What was the governments fear of people becoming unemployed due to the wool industry?
Government viewed them as vagabonds and feared a riot
What did Henry VIII do in 1536-1541 ?
Dissolution of monasteries
What was the dissolution of monasteries?
When henry VIII closed down and sold off the land where monasteries were
Why the dissolution of the monasteries was bad for poor people?
Monasteries had been important social functions , including providing support for the poor , ill and disabled . So removing these removed valuable assistance
Who was the main supporters of the poor?
Charities, where rich people made donations to hospitals , monasteries and other organisations that helped the poor. During elizabeths reign poverty was so bad the donations were not enough
What could the poor be split into ?
Helpless poor-those unable to support themselves , elderly , sick or disabled
Deserving poor - people wanting to work but cant find any
Undeserving poor- beggar, criminals and people who refused to work
Why did elizabeth take action in the 1570s?
- growing social unrest after rebellion of the northern earls
- terrible harvests 1573-1577, threat of famine
- cloth trade was poor in the years 1563-64, 1568-73 , 1586-88
What did the statute of artificers state and when was it put into law?
1563
- beggars to be whipped, if caught more than 3 times they would be executed
- Justices of peace to keep count of poor in area . Local people had to pay the poor rate tax
- jps in every area over saw the poor relief
What did the vagabonds act state and when was it put into law?
1572
- beggars were sent to work house of correction , two in every county
- justices of peace kept stock of materials in every town, so gave jobs to people looking for work
- jps decide the tax rate for poor relief
What was the poor relief and when was it signed into law?
1576
- jps appoint 4 overseers of poor in each parish
- overseers ensured orphan children had apprenticeships and provided able bodies for work if you refused you could he imprisoned
- elderly or sick given alm houses to live in
- begging was forbidden and were whipped
- jps made sure everyone paid the poor rate, if they refused they could be imprisoned
What was poor relief ?
Taxes for the poor
What was poor relief income used for?
Provide hospitals and housing for elderly, sick and disabled . poor children got apprenticeships , which usually lasted 7 years.
