11. Reasons for the PLAA Flashcards
What are the 4 areas for this plan?
- Growth of towns
- Rising cost
- Ideological pressures
- Failures of the old poor laws
Growth of Towns
What was the population of towns in the 1780s, 1801, and 1831?
The population of towns was 3 million in the 1780s, 9.2 million in 1801, and 13.9 million by 1831.
Growth of Towns
How did the population in 1801 compare to when the Elizabethan Poor Laws were introduced in 1601?
In 1801, the population was double what it had been when the Elizabethan Poor Laws were introduced in 1601.
Growth of Towns
How many cities had populations over 50,000 in 1750, and how did this change by 1851?
In 1750, only London and Edinburgh had populations over 50,000. However, by 1851, there were 29 cities of this size, with London’s population reaching 2.3 million inhabitants.
Growth of Towns
What was the rate of population growth in urban areas between 1800 and 1850?
The population in urban areas increased by 27% every decade between 1800 and 1850, indicating rapid urbanisation during this period.
Rising Cost
What percentage of Gross National Product (GNP) did poor relief account for following the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815)?
Poor relief accounted for 2% of GNP following the Napoleonic Wars
Rising Cost
What was the equivalent annual cost of the poor relief during the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815)?
The cost of poor relief during the Napoleonic Wars was equivalent to £5.7 million each year between 1815 and 1833.
Rising Cost
How did the cost of relief in 1817 compare to the pre-war period in 1788?
In 1817, relief costs amounted to £7.9 million, a significant increase from the pre-war period in 1788 when relief costs were £2 million.
Rising Cost
What was Speenhamland, and how did it address the rising cost of bread?
Speenhamland was a system that topped up wages to the price of three loaves of bread and extra 1 1/2 loaves for a wife and every child. The price of bread had risen due to wars and poor harvests.
Rising Cost
What was the cost per head for relief after 1824, and how did it compare to the costs from 1819 to 1823?
After 1824, the cost per head for relief was 9 shillings and 2 pence, compared to 11 shillings and 7 pence from 1819 to 1823. Despite fluctuations, the overall cost remained very high.
Failures of old poor laws
What were the main components of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601?
The Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 established poorhouses for the deserving poor, provided outdoor relief for the able-bodied, and allowed overseers to decide who would receive relief.
How many poorhouses were there by 1776, and what was the typical inmate population?
By 1776, there were 2000 poorhouses with 20 to 50 inmates each.
What were the Laws of Settlement of 1662, and how did they restrict movement?
The Laws of Settlement of 1662 tied individuals to their birthplace or a place they had lived for three years. Movement required a “certificate of good character,” and overseers had the authority to remove people. Outdoor relief was no longer provided.
What was the Speenhamland System of 1795, and how did it function?
The Speenhamland System, though never a law, topped up wages to ensure workers received a minimum amount for subsistence, typically equivalent to three loaves of bread, with an additional 1 ½ loaves for a wife and each child.
