1. Population growth and poverty Flashcards
(8 cards)
What were the population changes from 1625 to 1688?
In 1625 the population was at 4.1 million, in 1656 it was 5.3 million and in 1688 it was 4.8 million.
What were the reasons for the rising population in the first half of the 17th Century?
. The country had had domestic peace since 1485 with the end of the War of the Roses.
. Changes in agriculture, such as the enclosure of land and the growth of areas under cultivation ensured a stable supply of food for the growing population.
. During the 17th Century, many Protestants migrated from Europe to escape religious persecution.
What were the reasons for the declining population in the second half of the 17th Century?
. Large number of deaths due to the Civil Wars.
. The Great Plague in 1665 which caused up to 100,000 deaths in London alone.
. Many non-conformists moving to America to worship freely.
. Marriage was often delayed until the late twenties so the average size of families were reduced.
What was the impact of the population growth on urban and rural development?
In 1625 most people lived in the countryside, with most of the population concentrated in the South-East. During the 17th Century, young people began moving from Parishes in the South to more open parishes in the Midlands and the North, where opportunities were better. Due to the enclosures of land, there were fewer people needed to work the land and so rural depopulation grew. In 1625, 5.8% lived in towns. By the end of the 1600s, this had grown to 13.3%.
How did London dominate England?
By 1625, the population of London had growth to 200,000 and by 1660 it had doubled again. It was on route to becoming the largest city in Europe by 1688, as it was home to 500,000 people. It grew because of its geographical position for trade, and it was also significant for culture, industry, finance and government. London was larger than the next 50 towns put together. The next largest towns ranged from 10,000 to 30,000. The other towns were:
. Norwich - an important centre for the cloth trade
. Bristol - a thriving port
. Newcastle - the hub of the growing coal industry
. York
. Exeter
How did the growing population increase poverty?
The increase in population resulted in inflation, as the population increase put pressure on resources. Prices increased by as much as 800% but wages rose by only 300%. Those particularly affected were those who could not produce enough food themselves and their family and so didn’t have any left to sell. Agriculture relied on seasonal employment and so many could only find jobs for 6 months of the year. Therefore, with the growing population there were more people than jobs, increasing poverty.
What system did the 1601 Elizabethan Poor Laws introduced?
The Poor Laws provided basic relief for those unable to work. It distinguished between the able-bodied poor who could work but were idle and the impotent poor who were too ill or elderly to work. The poor rate was also set up, it was a tax paid by those in the parish to support the poor. To support the poor, the gov attempted to regulate the trade in grain so that in times of harvest failure there would be stocks of grain available at a low price. After harvest failures in 1629 and 1630, Charles I issued a new Book of Orders. These instructed the JPs on how to levy poor rate and to encourage young people to take up apprenticeships. By 1640, 1,400 officers were responsible for organising poor relief in the parishes.
Who were the beggars and vagrants?
Rising unemployment, combined with economic hardship, resulted in an increase in vagrants. Records show that 22% of vagrants that had entered Salisbury in this period had already covered 100 miles beforehand. Vagrants were seen as sources of crime and instability and were rounded up and punished. Some were transported to American colonies. The 1662 Settlement Law was passed to limit movement - with people requiring a settlement certificate to establish the parish they belonged to and hence clarifying which parish was responsible for them should they need Poor Relief.
