Attitudes Towards The Poor Before 1834 Flashcards
How did the Industrial Revolution caused decrease in sympathy for the poor?
Greater economic prosperity saw, fear of losing this saw a separation from those in poverty as they provided no contribution to this + aid halted economic benefits
What was the initial attitudes towards the poor before industrialisation, and how did this change?
Initially there was care for the poor, however industrialisation saw an increase in blame on the poor for their situation as there were more job opportunities ( especially in urban areas )
Who were the ‘deserving poor’?
The poor who were deemed to deserve help - elderly, sick, orphans or Ill-bodied
Who were the undeserving poor?
Poor who didn’t deserve help - able bodied men and women who couldn’t find work
What did the 1817 poor employment act provide?
Money was available to ‘undeserving poor’ on public works like roads
What was the ideology around poor which resulted in a decrease in the amount of relief given?
Poverty existed but an excess of poor relief created an over reliance on this and caused laziness
Who wrote Dissertation on The Poor Laws in 1786, and what ideology did it suggest?
Joseph Townsend, promoted the reduction of poor relief as poverty could provide a lesson to the poor
How did industrialisation further push Townsend’s ideology from 1786?
Increased employment strengthened the idea that poor was based off laziness, and they were living off others
What were Tories and Humanitarians views on the poor relief system before 1834?
Wanted to maintain system the current system
What were the Whigs view on the poor relief system before 1834?
Wanted radical reform
Why did some people want little change to the poor relief system before 1834?
They had some empathy towards the poor, but didn’t agree with the large costs of the system
Why was there increased working class pressure for reforms to poor relief before 1834?
Money spent on the employers for poor rates could be spent on them - poor was taking money from those willing to work
Why did demand for changes to the system of poor relief increase in 1830?
Argument that it was harming the economy, during worsened economic climate due to poor harvests etc. was having a bigger impact, so a motive for change
What did Paine write about in his book ‘Rights of Man’ to help the poor?
Wrote proposed plans for pensions for those over 50 and child benefits of £4 a year for children under 14, helping 250,000 families
Who did Paine place the blame on for rising demands and costs of poor relief?
The government - believed a failure of their support caused poor
What did Robert Owen believe could be able to help the poor?
A chance of self improvement - his factory New Lanark helped workers better themselves - could also be done through education
What were Paine and Owen’s opinions on the poor called?
Progressive opinion
Why were progressive opinions towards the poor generally unsupported?
It was placing the blame on the government for their laissez-faire approach which had provided so much economic growth and industrialisation which benefited workers
What was Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism argument?
Believed the only principle the government should act on is to provide the greater pleasure for the most people
What was created in 1796 as a result of the utilitarianism ideology?
National Charity Company and workhouses
Why did workhouses link to the utilitarianism ideology?
Poor could work for their relief, and shareholders could get profits out of the poor’s labour
What was the significant impact of the utilitarianism approach?
The idea that workhouses were the best meth of poor relief as provided the greatest benefits to society - set the blueprints for the 1834 Poor Law Act
