Poverty Flashcards
What are some reasons for poverty in Elizabethan times?
-Actions of previous monarchs
-Changes in agriculture
-Population increase
-Flu outbreak
Name 4 actions of previous monarchs that led to poverty:
-Henry VIII limited the right of nobles to hold private armies, fearing they might be a threat to his throne, this left many soldiers without work
-Henry VIII closed the monasteries, monks, nuns and other church employees were left with no where to live or work
-The closure of the monasteries left the sick and poor with no one to care for them
-Economic problems under Henry VIII and Edward VI led to the collapse of the cloth trade and the loss of many jobs
Name 3 changes in agriculture that led to poverty:
-Bad harvests between 1594 and 1598 led to food shortages and starvation in parts of England, this also increased food prices which led to inflation
-Enclosure: increasing number of landlords began to keep sheep on their land instead of growing crops so fewer workers were needed
-Many unemployed farm workers headed to towns and cities in search of employment
When was the flu outbreak and how many people did it kill?
It was in 1556 and killed 200,000 people
How had the population changed during Elizabeth’s reign?
It had went from 2.8 million to 4 million.
Who did a shortage of places to live give power to and to do what?
It gave power to landlords who increased rent (rack renting).
What caused inflation during this era and how?
-Population growth: As lots of workers were available but wages remained the same, the demand for food rose and therefor prices did too.
-Spanish exploration of the ‘New World’: The silver from Central and South America meant that more silver was in circulation around Europe, which reduced the value of all currencies and pushed prices up.
-Henry VIII: He significantly made the problem of inflation worse by reducing the value of coinage in the 1540s in order to pay for his wars against France and Scotland
How did wars with foreign countries cause poverty?
It affected international trade. England’s most important trading partner was the city of Antwerp in woollen cloth. The collapse of this market in the 1550s and later official bans on trade with the Spanish-ruled Netherlands in the 1560s, 1570s and 1580s deprived England of the much needed revenue from its usual export markets.
How did poor harvests cause poverty?
Most Elizabethans lived in rural areas, but this period witnessed many disastrous harvests. With food already in short supply because of the pressure of increased numbers of people, the threat of famine pushed prices even higher.
What did tenants become the victims of?
Tenants became the victims of greedy landlords through unfair rack-renting which led to spiralling rents and lots of evictions.
What meant that farm labourers lost their jobs?
The traditional open fields were combined and enclosed with hedges to allow former arable land to be turned over to more profitable sheep farming. While good for rich land owners, sheep farming is not labour intensive which meant that farm labourers lost their jobs. This is called enclosure.
what devastating effect did closure have effect on?
Removing the common land. For the landless poor, the common was essential in that it provided them with a place for their animals to graze. For the poorest, a vital means of feeding their families had been taken away.
How did Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries affect the poor?
In the past, monasteries had been a key source of charity for the poor. They provided food, shelter and medical care for the needy. By Henry VIII dissolving the monasteries he removed the traditional source of help. Poor people now flocked in greater numbers to the towns looking for a better life. Unfortunately the towns could not cope with such number, the migration of so many people brought the issue of poverty to public attention which forced authorities to respond and take responsibility of the welfare of the people for the first time.
Who were the ‘impotent poor’ (deserving poor)?
People who were either too young, too old or too ill to provide or care for themselves.
Who were the ‘idle poor’ (underserving poor)?
These homeless people were considered to be an immoral and criminal class, perfectly fit but too lazy to find work and were happy living off begging and petty crime.
