Andover Workhouse Scandal Flashcards
Why were conditions so bad in Andover Workhouse?
Running costs kept to a minimum
What were some of the rules set in the Andover Workhouse?
No talking, eat with fingers
Who ran the Andover Workhouse?
Mcdougal , with is wife
What early example, before the scandal, can be used to show the poor conditions in the Andover workhouse?
Between 1837-46, 61 paupers from Andover were sent to prison deliberately to escape
What was the Andover Workhouse Scandal 1846 caused by?
Inmates underfed (rotting bones), mistreatment (bad punishments )
How did the Andover Workhouse Scandal become notified to the government?
A local poor law guardian (Hugh Mundy) was concerned over treatment of paupers, passed to local MP (Thomas Wakeley) who then told the Home Secretary
What did the Poor Law Commission do as a result of being notified about conditions in Andover?
Led an investigation, found issues + also found abuse of female inmates
What was the public response to finding out about the 1846 Andover Workhouse Scandal?
Caused public outcry + pressed parliament to properly supervise workhouses
What was the impact of the Andover Workhouse Scandal on the Poor Law Commission?
1847 - Poor Law Commission was dissolved ( mainly due to public outcry) and replaced by new Poor Law Board
What did the new Poor Law Board bring in 1847?
More government control on treatment of the poor + workhouses
What impact did the Andover Workhouse Scandal have on public opinions of the poor?
Increased humanitarian view on the poor as people realised the horrors they had been treated
How many workhouses were built between 1834-51?
402
How many workhouses were built between 1851-66?
100
Why were less workhouses built after 1851?
New poor law board, scandals increased humanitarian views and discouraged use of workhouses for the poor, many areas had already been built
What did Mayhew criticise in 1849, saying it created the poor?
Poor wages, as they were insufficient to protect people from economic changes
