3.5 - Government, Self Help And Charity Flashcards
When did the Andover workhouse scandal occur ?
1837
How were they inmates being treated in the Andover workhouse
The work they had to do was hard and strenuous. The master and matron were strict and violent
What replaces the poor law commission
The poor law board
When did the government replace the poor law commission with the poor law board
In 1847
What did they poor law board want to achieve
They wanted to overhaul the weakness of the poor law commission and in crease government involvement
Who were on the poor law board
Several cabinet members who were on the board were ex-officio
The president of the board was an MP
Those who were responsible for the poor law administration …
Were answerable to parliament and public opinion
Number of commissioners increased from 9 to what
13
What were some successes of the poor law board
Pauper hospitals
Forster’s Education Act 1870
Union Chargeability Act 1865
Failures of the poor law board
Union chargeability act
Areas still needed outdoor relief
What were the different groups
Charity organisation society
Friendly societies
Trade unions
Co-operatives
Successes of the cos
Supported by influential people
Federal structure
Permanent benefit
Failures of the cos
Only deserving would be helped
It was only temporary
Some areas made little effort to coordinate the work of charities
Successes of friendly societies
Members would receive payment in times of sickness Death or unemployment
Helped workers to protect themselves
2.7 million members by 1877
Failures of friendly societies
Entry we could become slightly expensive
Refuse membership to people who had a history of illness or over 40 or in dangerous jobs
Sometimes society is going to afford the payments
Successes of trade unions
People could actually afford the membership of one shilling
It gave a range of benefits e.g. pension sickness death or unemployment pay
Failures of trade unions
Not all unions were generous I could afford to give out benefits
Only skilled workers could afford the weekly subscription in some places
Successes of cooperatives
They gave many working-class families ability to plan their finances Cooperative society is allowed paupers to have regular dividends
Failures of cooperatives
Dividend was based on the amount of money spent
Shops would not give credit this limited the membership
Who are the three individuals
Charles Dickens
Samuel Smiles
Henry Mayhew
What 2 key beliefs did Charles Dickens emphasise
For people who had their own hopes and desires
The workhouse system was a mindless institution that dehumanised clients and careers
Who read his writings
Middle-class and illiterate poor
What famous novel did he write on the workhouses
Oliver twist
What belief did Samuel Smiles support/encourage
Self help
