Poverty

Question 1

List 3 ways poverty was attacked

Answer 1

1. Nearly one third of Londoners were so poor that they didn’t have enough money to eat properly, despite having full-time jobs!
2. Nearly one third of all men who volunteered to join the army failed their medical examination because they were too small, too thin, too ill or had poor eyesight.
3. 40% of children suffered illness and stunted growth from lack of food

Question 2

Who were Booth and Rowntree?

Answer 2

In 1902 and 1903 a man named Charles Booth published his final report on the poor people of London. Over a period of 17 years he collected information from all over the city and his findings shocked people.

Up in York, Rowtree found that 28% of the city’s wage-earners didn’t earn enough to eat healthily and 40% of children suffered illness and stunted growth from lack of food.

Question 3

What is meant by the Welfare State?

Answer 3

This is the name of the system by which the government aims to help those in need - mainly the old, the sick and the unemployed. It aims to make sure that nobody goes without food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education, or any other basic need as a result of not being able to afford it.

Question 4

What was provided by the Welfare State?

Answer 4

For children: clinics, cheap/free milk and food, cheap/free school meals.
For adults and their families: free doctors, family allowances and unemployment pay.
For old people: retirement pensions, home help and special homes.