Poor Law - Character and Method of Protest - Extent of Protest

Question 1

Character and Method of Protest

Answer 1

• Opposition to the introduction of the new system was particularly strong in the North and Midlands

Question 2

Protest in the North and Midlands (part one)

Answer 2

Protest in this region was characterized by a higher level of organization and a close relationship between the Anti-poor Law Movement and the Factory Movement

• Public Meetings: Usually chaired by local clergy or dignitaries. Petitions were drawn up ad presented to Parliament by Radical MPs e.g. John Fielden and John Walter.
• Mass Meetings: Often called to coincide with the arrival of commissioners to organize the implementation of the new scheme with local officials. These meetings were, on the whole, peaceful.

Question 3

Protest in the North and Midlands (part two)

Answer 3

• A Press Campaign: Newspapers such as: Leeds Intelligence, Bolton Chronicle , Sheffield Iris, Northern Liberator and Northern Star gave extensive coverage to Anti-Poor Law activities.
• Local Obstructionism: In some towns local overseers simply refused to cooperate with commissioners in implementing the new system. This was often backed up by locally orchestrated popular disturbances

Question 4

Some Success

Answer 4

• In Huddersfield and Barnsley, implementation of the Act had to be deferred until 1838 and in Rochdale until 1845
• Elsewhere only administrative changes were made
• Outdoor relief effectively continued in industrial districts with an Outdoor Labour Test officially and generally authorised in 1841

Question 5

Protest in the South

Answer 5

Opposition to the New Poor Law System was more sporadic and far less organized than in the North and Midlands. But there were a number of demonstrations:

• May 1835: ‘ Bread and Blood’ demonstration in Bedfordshire
• December 1835: A week of disturbances in villages around Ipswich
• Throughout 1836 and 1837: Protests in Devon and Cornwall

Question 6

Extent of Protest

Answer 6

Serious agitation was short lived and by 1838 had virtually died out completely. This was due to:

• Radical activity and effort became focussed on the developing Chartist Movement
• Divisions appeared in the Anti-Poor Law Movement. Tory leaders became alienated by Chartist criticism of the wealthy
• The success of the movement in the North resisted full implementation