3.3 Flashcards
Under the Elizabeeth in Poor law how was poor relief administered
On a parish-based system
Give three advantages to a parish-based system
It’s easier to distinguish between the deserving of the undeserving poor. You’re more likely to help those you know. Local needs are addressed more appropriately.
What are three disadvantages of a parish-based system
People might set rates low to avoid paying higher rates. Personal grudges could get in the way of administering relief. There is a lack of national consistency.
When was the settlement act and what did it state
1662 and it stated that legal settlement was by birth marriage apprenticeship or inheritance and that was the parish that was responsible for poor relief.
What did the 1795 removal act state
Strangers could be barred from entering the parish if they applied for relief andThat wasn’t the parish under the settlement act.
Why was outdoor relief used
In times of illness or cyclical unemployment families needed urgent short-term relief therefore outdoor relief was given
What was the Speenhamland system
This system is subsidised wages using the relationship between the price of bread and the number of dependents and the family
What was the roundsman system
Able-bodied pauper labourers were sent in rotation to local farmers who would provide them with Work that either genuinely needed doing or if it had been invented for the purpose. Roundsman wages were paid partly by the farmer and partly by the parish.
What was the labour rate
This involves an agreement between parishes to establish a labour rate. Ratepayers who employed paupers either paid this rate or made up the difference by paying the parish
Under the Elizabeeth Poor law where were the important poor sent
Poorhouses
Under the Elizabeeth in Poor law where were the able-bodied poor sent
Sent to work in a workhouse while they continue to live at home
Under the Elizabeeth in Poor law where were those who refused to work and continued a life of begging sent
House of correction
Under the Elizabeeth in Poor law what happened to pauper children
They were to be apprenticed to a trade
When was the Gilberts act
1782
In the late 1700s why was there genuine fear that there would be a considerable increase in people seeking relief and that the parishes would not cope
The end of the American War of Independence meant there were more demobilised soldiers in the labour market. Enclosure of the great open fields. Early stages of industrialisation.
What did the Gilberts act state
Parishes could combine to form guild unions and build a workhouse. In these Gilbert unions overseas were to be replaced by paid guardians.
Why was the act not compulsory
Because it was a permissive act
When will the Sturges-bourne acts?
1818 and 1819
What did the sturges-bourne acts state?
Each parish where to select Vestry is that we are responsible for the local administration of the polos. The second act instructed how these were to be voted in which the richer you were the more votes you had
What were the three main financial pressures for change in the year 1780 to 1834
Impact of wars with France. Impacts of agricultural unrest, the swing riots. Impact of increasing cost of the poor laws.
How did the good harvests of 1813 and 1814 along with the ending of the wars with France increase those claiming poor relief
Due to the harvests being good in Britain in Europe cheap foreign Corn could easily be imported thus forcing English farmers to keep prices low. Along with wartime taxes this left many bankrupt, forcing them to claim poor relief
What was the 1815 corn laws and what was their consequence
This act didn’t allow the import of foreign corn however this meant that the red prices were now too high. Riots broke out in rural areas of Britain, and systems pegging relief to the price of bread struggle to keep up. This distress was worsened by returning soldiers from the war
During the crisis of 1817 to 1819 what did expenditure and poor relief reach
£8 million a year
What was the reason for the swing riots
Labourers were protesting for higher wages and the removal of steam powered machines that deprive them of winter employment.
Give an example of a swing riot
To villages in Hampshire combined and the labour is protested and pulled down a workhouse As well as breaking many of the machines
Why were they called the swing riots and why did government fear revolution
Many of the petitions and threats were signed Captain swing giving the impression that this was an organised revolt. Therefore as revolution in Europe has just taken place the government were concerned
How were the swing rioters dealt with and did they achieve anything
They were dealt with harshly but they did create a political climate in which reform was becoming more likely
What was expenditure on poor relief by 1833
6 million
What was increasing the cost of poor relief
The mobility of the population meant certain parishes couldn’t keep up with costs
Where are the three main examples of regional differences when considering pressures for change in the early 1800s
Nottinghamshire Gloucestershire and Cookham Berkshire
What was different about Nottinghamshire and who was responsible for this
Reverend Becker was the driving force behind the amalgamation in 1823 of 49 parishes. They had two deterrent workhouses and he was a strong believer that outdoor relief should be abolished.
What was happening in Gloucestershire
Lloyd Baker began reforming Poor law administration by abolishing outdoor relief and making the workhouses so bad only the destitute would seek admission. He reduced the amount of poppers from 900 to 100
How did Reverend Thomas in Cookham reduce pauper seeking relief
He offered abled body relief seekers work at a lower rate that was usually paid by the parish meaning many long-term recipients immediately left the parish
What was Thomas Malthus’ argument and why
He favoured the abolition of the poor laws meaning families had to stay small and therefore able to support themselves
What was David Ricardos argument and why
Ricardo also believed Poor laws should be abolished because he believed there was a pot of money from which both wages and poor relief was paid therefore as people claimed poor relief wages went down. If polos were to be abolished, then wages would increase and poverty decrease.
What was Thomas pains argument
He proposed a property tax on the very rich to be used for a variety of support systems. He also had a problem with the able-bodied poor and believed they should go into the Work house before receiving relief
What was Robert Owens argument and how did he put this into place
He was a radical factory owner who blamed the capitalist economic system for creating poverty. At his site he created a safe community where workers were treated fairly and educated, Corporal punishment was also forbidden. This motivated his workers therefore he received increased profits.
What is utilitarianism
A theory that society should be organised so as to secure the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
Who developed the philosophy of utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham
In regards to paupers what did Bentham believe
He believed in the centralisation of the Paula administration. He thought all outdoor relief should be abolished and relief only given to those prepared to enter workhouse. He didn’t believe in the discrimination between deserving and undeserving poor only the destitute
