Britain : Poverty and Pauperism Flashcards
What act introduced workhouses ?
Knatchbull Act 1722
When was the Speenhamland system introduced ?
1795
What was the attitude about the Speenhamland system ?
“It was humiliating for fully employed laborer’s to receive part of their income in form of parish charity.” - RJ Cootes
What was the main problem with Speenhamland for the Government ?
Too expensive
What was the population rise in 1801 - 1831?
9.2 million - 13.9 million
What was the cost of poor relief in 1785 - 1817 ?
£2 million - £8 million
How many soldiers returned home form the Napoleonic war ?
400,000
Who had to pay for the poor relief in 1815 ?
Ratepayers (Tax payers), began to vastly change attitudes
What was Ricardo’s wage fund theory ?
A fixed fund at any given time for wages and so if some workers wanted to increase their wages, it would come at the expense of other workers’ wages.
What was the idea that poverty would always be prevalent in society ?
Fatalistic ideas
How much of the north and south received poor relief ?
10% of the North
23% of the South
What scared people who had earnt lots of money ?
The industrial revolution - If it can be made so fast it can also be lost just as quick - Looked to separate themselves from them.
Why did people view poverty as a social evil ?
People would become reliant on the system (Lazy)
Two Individualists
Thomas Malthus, Joseph Townsend
What is individualism ?
For the improvement of society, there was a need for a group that would demonstrate the hardship you work so hard to avoid
