The Making Of Modern Britain #2: The Poor Law System Flashcards
What was the minimal help given to aid poverty in the early 1900s?
Poor Law System
Why did the government have a laissez faire attitude to poverty?
They felt it was an individuals fault, and their responsibility to work their way out of it
What did the poor law system mean people would go?
- poor house in Scotland (known as the work house everywhere else in Britain)
How were poor houses across Scotland ran?
- local boards were elected to run them
- anyone facing poverty had to attended these places and prove they were poor
- able bodied people were not eligible to get help
Who were poor houses in Scotland open to?
- disabled people
- widows
- deserted wives with children
- orphans
- elderly
- sick people
What basic things were people given in the poor house?
- food and accommodation
- the also received a uniform to wear during their stay
What was it not compulsory to do in the poorhouse (unlike in England)?
Work
Why were poor houses ineffective at dealing with poverty?
They had originally been designed for rural areas, and they struggled to cope with the large number of poor people it cities, especially after the closure of a major factory
Why was going to the poor house a last resort?
- it was embarrassing to rely on this help
- there were various problems faced by those people that were accepted into the poor house
What were 3 problems with poor houses?
- quality of food was generally poor, and very often the same daily
- families were not allowed to live together: men were separated from women and children
- discipline was harsh too, including violence
What did the government believe poverty was caused by?
Laziness and moral failings, eg drinking too much
Why were living conditions in the poorhouse designed badly on purpose?
To make sure people were not discouraged from working, and did not want to use the poor house
