The Making Of Modern Britain #3: Self-help And The Voluntary System Flashcards
What was self-help?
That it was the job of the individual to fix and problems they faced
When did self-help become prevalent?
During the 1800s when the concept of poverty became more well known
Who was Samuel Smiles?
An Edinburgh University Professor
What did self-help supporters argue?
That too much government support would make people lazy and unable to help themselves (a laissez faire attitude)
What was Samuel Smile’s book?
Self-help (1859)
What 3 things did self help supporters argue?
- it was your duty to work your way out of poverty
- workers should save more money to stop them living in poverty
- hard work made people - and the country - much better
What were various organisations set up to do?
Let people try to help themselves
What were friendly societies?
- involved workers paying money to the society
- they would then receive money back when the were too sick or old to work
What did saving banks encourage?
People to save a little money, to be spent on the case of problems such as unemployment
What was the cooperative movement?
Saw groups set up to provide low cost food or services for working class people
What reasons did some reject self help?
- not earning enough money
- being too sick to work
- having a limited education
Who were involved it charity work to help the poorest people (as they rejected self help)?
Often middle class people who were involved for different reasons, including religious views and also a fear that poverty would lead to a violent revolution
What 3 main jobs did charities do?
- ran hospitals
- ran organisations
- helped people emigrate to find work elsewhere in the British empire
What are some of these charities that still exist?
Barnardos, Salvation Army
Evidence of criticism of self help
Henry Mayhew in his study of London labour and the London Poor (1861) identified that casual labourers were unable to save
