Poverty and Pauperism: The Old Poor Law and Pressure for Change

Question 1

When was the Old Poor Law introduced?

Answer 1

1601

Question 2

When were Poor Houses introduced?

Answer 2

1723

Question 3

In 1776 how many Poor Houses were there?

Answer 3

Over 2000 (with 20-50 occupants each)

Question 4

What did Gilbert’s Act, 1782, do?

Answer 4

Made Poor Houses exclusive to elderly and orphans

Question 5

Why was the publication of Jeremy Bentham’s ‘An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation’, in 1789, significant?

Answer 5

It introduced the concept of Utilitarianism, greatest happiness for the greatest number, and an egalitarian idea (each counts for one)

Question 6

When was the Speedlenham System introduced and what did it do?

Answer 6

1795, it designated outdoor relief based on the number of children a family had- encouraged laziness and large families

Question 7

What was the size of the population of the UK by 1801?

Answer 7

9 million

Question 8

What percentage of the UK was claiming poor relief by 1803?

Answer 8

10% in the North, 23% in the South

Question 9

In 1815 how much of Britain’s GNP was spent on poor relief?

Answer 9

2%

Question 10

In 1817 what Act was passed?

Answer 10

The Poor Employment Act

Question 11

When was the Act for the Regulation of Parish Vestries passed?

Answer 11

1818

Question 12

In 1832 the Royal Commission is sent out- what were the responses?

Answer 12

Only 1,500 of 15,000 parishes responded

Question 13

Who determined who the deserving and undeserving poor were?

Answer 13

Overseers. They could often be biased towards or against individuals within their parish