P&P Flashcards
(106 cards)
1
Q
How did population growth affect local parishes’ provision of poor relief?
A
Population growth led to higher demand on local parishes to provide poor relief.
2
Q
What did the 1662 Act of Settlement do?
A
The 1662 Act of Settlement defined membership to a parish as either being born there or being a resident for over a year.
3
Q
What were the rules for poor relief in each parish?
A
Each parish had their own local and individualized rules for poor relief, resulting in national inconsistency of quality of support.
4
Q
What is outdoor relief and why was it preferred over poorhouses?
A
Outdoor relief is giving money, food, and clothes rather than placing them in the poorhouse institution, poorhouses served as a deterrent against idleness.
5
Q
What was the purpose of the 1723 ‘Workhouse Test’ law?
A
The Workhouse Test law required claimants to undertake a set amount of work in a workhouse to prevent irresponsible claims on a parish’s poor rate.
6
Q
How many poorhouses were there in England by 1776?
A
By 1776, there were 2000 poorhouses in England, each having 20-50 inmates, which led to the 1782 Gilbert’s Act.
7
Q
What is the Speenhamland system and how did it determine relief value?
A
The Speenhamland system determined the value of relief based on the cost of a gallon loaf of bread and was developed most in the South, and used the Poor Rate as its source of money.
8
Q
What is the Roundsman system and how did it work?
A
The Roundsman system involved locals employing paupers on a reduced wage, with the difference made up by the local parish from the Poor Rate, and used tickets signed by the employer to take to the parish.
9
Q
Labour rate
A
A separate fund to the Poor Rate paid to paupers working on behalf of the parish
10
Q
What were the aims of the 3 systems to reduce tax burden and poverty
A
Voluntary ‘Overseers of the Poor’ would collect and distribute the Poor Rate under parish JP; these were the only type of relief given to paupers. Wanted to reduce tax burden on ratepayers and reduce national inconsistency
11
Q
Formalisation of poor relief
A
In 1818/1819 2 Amendment Acts on the Relief of the Poor created ‘parish committees’ elected by ratepayers to scrutinise and advise on relief-giving; benefited MC, tightening the stipulations to receive relief
12
Q
Lack of national approach to poverty
A
As there was no country-wide national approach, parishes acted individually with different systems; population increase worsened problem of poverty
13
Q
Impacts of industrialisation and the War with France (1793-1815)
A
Laid off agricultural workers and rose the cost of living
Made Speenhamland System difficult to sustain
1815 corn laws worsened the situation
14
Q
Economic depression and influx of soldiers
A
After the war, there was an economic depression
Unemployed soldiers caused more people to seek poor relief
15
Q
Poor Relief and Rioting
A
£6.4m spent on poor relief between 1814 and 1818
Riots broke out due to inefficiency in poor relief system
Swing Riots in agricultural areas with the Speenhamland System
16
Q
Resentment and Cost of Poor Law
A
Poor Law cost £7m a year by 1830
Caused resentment amongst the industrial middle class
Cities had huge numbers of paupers, resulting in high costs for the MC
17
Q
1832 Royal Commission
A
Government established the 1832 Royal Commission to investigate the poor relief system
9 commissioners, including Nassau Senior and Edwin Chadwick
Used scientific methods to gather evidence
Questionnaires were sent to 15,000 parishes, but only 10% responded
18
Q
Criticism of the Commission’s investigation
A
Many questions deliberately phrased for a particular answer
Nassau Senior started to write the report before all the data was collected
The results said the current system of poor relief was inadequate due to lack of uniformity and abuse of system
It recommended removal of outdoor relief, punishing workhouses, grouping of parishes to manage workhouses better, a central board to oversee the system
It suggested a centralised, punitive approach
19
Q
Two Attitudes to the Poor after the Industrial Revolution
A
Fatalistic: Poverty was inevitable in any society, pity.
Moralistic: Poverty was a result of a weakness of character, disgust.
20
Q
Prosperous industrial MC wanted to distance themselves from the idea of poverty
A
Moralistic: They had used ‘self-help’ to grow.
21
Q
British Society’s Beliefs About the Poor
A
Deserving: Unable to help themselves; sick, orphan, ill.
Undeserving: Able-bodied poor who often couldn’t find work.
22
Q
The Poor Employment Act (1817)
A
Passed for ‘undeserving poor.’
Encouraged employment of able-bodied paupers on public works (road building) from public money.
23
Q
Reasons for the Poor Employment Act (1817)
A
‘Self-help’ mentality hated indolence and wanted people to always be pushed.
‘Culture of dependence’ of pauperism made people indolent.
24
Q
Thomas Malthus
A
Developed the ‘Malthusian catastrophe’ in a 1798 academic essay
Predicted populations would always outstrip food supply
Believed natural events (war, famine, revolution) would prevent the catastrophe
Argued poor relief was a barrier to this natural process
Held moralistic views that some poverty was necessary for the general good of society
25
Joseph Townsend
Wrote 'Dissertation on the Poor Laws' in 1786
Believed poor relief promoted the worst characteristics in society
Viewed paupers as lazy and living off the generosity and success of others
26
Different Views on Poor Relief
Humanitarians and Tories: maintain current system
Some: wanted minor changes due to spiralling costs
Whigs: wanted radical transformation as current provisions were ineffective and outdated
27
Whig Beliefs on Poor Relief
Adopted David Ricardo's 'wage fund theory'
Believed taking money from employers to the poor rate undermined the economy
Believed pauperism was the result of idleness
28
Cost of Relief
Twin cost: real expenditure going out each week and cost to business in the long term
Encroached on free trade ideology
29
Thomas Paine
Believed the government should plan for the welfare of its people
Believed excessive poverty was from the failure of government
Proposed policy of pension pre-vision for over 50s and child benefits for families in poverty
30
What did Thomas Malthus predict in his 1798 essay?
He predicted that populations would always outstrip food supply, but that natural events such as war, famine, and revolution would prevent the 'Malthusian catastrophe.'
31
What was Joseph Townsend's view on poor relief?
He believed that poor relief promoted the worst characteristics in society and didn't encourage action. He viewed paupers as lazy and living off the generosity and success of others.
32
What did industrialisation promote regarding paupers?
Industrialisation promoted the idea that paupers were lazy and living off the success of others.
33
Robert Owen
Believed people would help themselves if given the chance
Built a model community in New Lanark for self-improvement
Advocated for co-operative practices to help alleviate poverty
His success at New Lanark was ignored by the government
34
Jeremy Bentham
Philosopher who proposed utilitarianism
Believed in the "greatest pleasure for the greatest number"
Proposed a National Charity Company to oversee the country's poor
Workhouses designed under a "panopticon model" where inmates would work to pay for their maintenance and provide profit for shareholders
People motivated by "pleasure" and "pain"
35
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism was pervasive amongst the whole British population
Based on the "happiness principle"
Helping provide new infrastructures and services would improve society
Bentham's idea for a centralised National Charity Company was taken up after 1834
Bentham's "happiness principle" deterred paupers and gave intellectual strength to the Royal Commission
36
Why was the parish-based system of charity unsustainable by 1833?
Due to the burden it placed on ratepayers (often influential figures with the right to vote, influencing elections), and their vocal opposition (especially after Ricardo’s ‘wage fund theory’ which appealed to the industrial MC).
37
What impact did economic prosperity have on poor relief in the 1820s?
It resulted in less being spent on poor relief (decreased almost by ⅓ after 1824 compared to 1819-1823), but increasing low-paid workers (particularly in agricultural areas, also in densely-populated industrial areas) still made it costly
38
How did the economic market control people in the industrial North?
Good trade meant employment, declining trade meant unemployment, and most couldn’t afford to pay for a pension fund for tough times. In agricultural areas (due to machines) there were even fewer employment opportunities.
39
Who wrote the ‘wage fund theory’ that appealed to the industrial MC?
Ricardo
40
What were the consequences of the burden placed on ratepayers by the parish-based system of charity?
The burden was unsustainable, and ratepayers became vocal in their opposition to it, particularly influential figures with the right to vote who could influence elections.
41
Which areas had fewer employment opportunities due to machines
Agricultural areas.
42
What was the main aim of the Poor Law Amendment Act (1834)?
To take a more punitive approach to relief (reflecting the growing moralistic attitude in society - poverty was a social evil) by making relief more severe and turning parishes into unions to reduce the cost of the poor law.
43
What were the two main aims of the Poor Law Amendment Act (1834)?
To make relief more severe and to turn parishes into unions to reduce the cost of the poor law.
44
What was the name of the central authority set up to oversee legislation of the Poor Law Amendment Act?
The Poor Law Commission
45
What was the concept of "less eligibility" in the Poor Law Amendment Act?
To make workhouse conditions so bad that only the utterly destitute would apply for them.
46
What did the Poor Law Amendment Act discourage for the able-bodied poor?
Outdoor relief.
47
Who were the Poor Law Commission made up of?
Three men, including Edwin Chadwick who was the commission’s secretary and a disciple of Jeremy Bentham.
48
Why did the Whig government want to appease the interests of the industrial MC?
To win their votes.
49
What did "poorhouses" become known as after the Poor Law Amendment Act was passed?
Workhouses.
50
Did the Poor Law Amendment Act provide specific guidelines for how to adopt the suggestions?
No, it was left to the Poor Law Commission to decide
51
The New Poor Law (1834)
Workhouses became the main form of poor relief, not outdoor relief
Principle of 'less eligibility' made conditions in workhouses intentionally unpleasant to deter all but the most needy from applying
15000 parishes were grouped into 600 unions, and guardians of the Poor Law had to fund building of new workhouses through the Poor Rate
Workhouses had basic living conditions, including 10 hour days, hard labour, and meagre diets, and inmates were depersonalized and separated by gender and family
The 'less eligibility' principle did not work due to poor wages and economic fluctuations
52
Outdoor relief
Definition: A form of poor relief in which aid was given to those in need outside of workhouses or other institutions, often in the form of money, food, or clothing.
Importance: Outdoor relief was less expensive than indoor relief (i.e., workhouses), so many parishes continued to offer it despite the introduction of the New Poor Law. Additionally, many farmers in agricultural areas preferred to offer outdoor relief as it allowed them to employ people at a lower cost.
53
Guardians of the Poor Law
Definition: Locally appointed officials responsible for implementing the provisions of the Poor Law, including overseeing the distribution of poor relief.
Importance: The guardians had the power to decide who would receive poor relief and in what form. While the New Poor Law aimed to centralize the administration of poor relief by grouping parishes into unions and creating larger workhouses, the guardians still had significant control over the implementation of the law at the local level.
54
Indoor relief
Definition: A form of poor relief in which aid was given to those in need through institutional care, such as workhouses.
Importance: The New Poor Law made indoor relief (i.e., workhouses) the primary form of poor relief, but many parishes continued to offer outdoor relief due to the high cost of maintaining workhouses. In agricultural areas, farmers were also reluctant to offer indoor relief as it was more expensive and they preferred to employ people at a lower cost through outdoor relief.
55
The Gilbert Act (1782) and the New Poor Law (1834)
The Gilbert Act changed admissions to poorhouses, and the New Poor Law made workhouses the main part of poor relief (not outdoor relief).
56
Less eligibility
The principle that conditions in workhouses should be so bad as to be less eligible than the lowest paid labourer outside of the workhouse.
57
Deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor
The idea that some people were deserving of help while others were not, based on their level of morality, work ethic, and other factors.
58
Opposition to workhouses
Workhouses were expensive to build and maintain, and many local officials preferred to provide outdoor relief instead.
59
Ideology vs. pragmatism
The New Poor Law was driven by ideology rather than financial pragmatism, ignoring criticism of the cost of large-scale workhouse infrastructure.
60
Opposition to the New Poor Law
The Tories objected to the bill out of partisanship and fear of increased government intervention. William Cobbett and others believed it made claimants seem like criminals and abandoned the mutualistic relationship between the rich and poor.
61
Riots against the New Poor Law
Riots broke out in response to the removal of outdoor relief, with notable riots occurring in East Anglia in 1835 and the Ampthill parish union in May of that year.
62
'Money or blood' riots
Riots that occurred in East Kent, Suffolk, and other areas, where mobs attacked the workhouses.
63
Uncoordinated riots in the South
Riots that only occurred in certain places in the South, unlike the North where the riots were widespread and organised.
64
Poor Law implementation in the South
The Poor Law was implemented well in the South by 1836, as the riots were unorganised and uncoordinated, and each area had a slightly different system to defend.
65
Poor Law implementation in the North
The Poor Law implementation in the North was met with organised opposition. The problems encountered in the North were different from those of the agricultural South.
66
Tory radical reformers
Richard Oastler and MP Michael Sadler were politicians who got involved in the anti-Poor Law movement up North, giving it more credibility in 1839.
67
Workhouse solution not suitable for the North
The workhouse solution didn't fit the cyclical pattern of unemployment in the North, where brief periods of mass unemployment would eventually recover through the system of outdoor relief.
68
Anti-Poor Law movement in Yorkshire and Lancashire
The anti-Poor Law movement in Yorkshire and Lancashire was popular through public speeches and printed articles, playing on the emotions of the population.
69
'Book of Murder'
A false book that claimed the authorities wanted to kill infants to reduce the cost of poor relief. It was used to fuel the anti-Poor Law movement in the North.
70
1837 trade depression
A trade depression that occurred in 1837, causing mass unemployment and contributing to the aggressive reaction of the working class against the Poor Law.
71
Organised opposition in the North
The Poor Law implementation in the North was met with organised opposition, which saw the Law as irrelevant to their problems.
72
Poor Law Amendment Act (1834)
An act of Parliament that aimed to reform the poor relief system in England and Wales by centralizing and standardizing the administration of poor relief, and by discouraging the provision of poor relief outside of workhouses.
73
Opposition to the Poor Law
The Poor Law Amendment Act was met with opposition from different groups including the Tories, William Cobbett, and the poor themselves. The Tories objected to the bill out of partisanship, while William Cobbett believed the Act made claimants seem like criminals. The poor rioted against the Law due to the removal of outdoor relief.
74
Northern resistance to the Poor Law
In the North, the Poor Law was met with strong resistance due to the economic prospects of the working class and the added intervention in local authorities for the middle class. The working class believed their methods of relief were effective and humane, while the middle class were fearful of increased government intervention.
75
Andover workhouse
A workhouse built in 1836 and run under Colin McDougal, a former sergeant-major in the military. McDougal and his wife ran the workhouse like a prison camp, deliberately limiting the diet to reduce expenditure.
76
Low food costs in Andover
The McDougal couple kept food costs low to please the Board of Guardians as the Poor Rate was low.
77
Starvation in Andover
Inmates at the Andover workhouse were often on the brink of starvation and had to eat meat left on bones they had to crush or suck the marrow from inside bones. Fights would break out over meaty bones
78
Hugh Mundy
A local Poor Law Guardian who went to MP Thomas Wakely in August 1845 about the appalling conditions at the Andover workhouse.
79
Thomas Wakely
An MP who was approached by Hugh Mundy about the appalling conditions at the Andover workhouse. He took the matter to the home secretary, and a full investigation was pursued by Henry Parker, assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
79
Thomas Wakely
An MP who was approached by Hugh Mundy about the appalling conditions at the Andover workhouse. He took the matter to the home secretary, and a full investigation was pursued by Henry Parker, assistant Poor Law Commissioner.
80
Public outcry in response to Andover
There was a public outcry when the appalling conditions at the Andover workhouse were revealed. The Poor Law Commission was attacked by the public, press, and parliament, and the editor of ‘The Times’ covered the scandal heavily.
81
What was the 'Poor Law Board'?
The government agency that replaced the Commission in 1846, bringing poor relief under direct government control.
82
How did the Andover scandal affect poor relief?
While it softened the harsh treatment of "lazy" paupers, it did not end the belief that people should fend for themselves, and workhouses remained central to poor relief.
83
What happened to the relationship between the industrial middle class (MC) and working class (WC) after the 1832 Reform Act?
The MC lost touch with the WC, as they now had the vote and were in the upper echelon of society. Social responsibility developed as a concern for both WC and MC interests.
84
What did Henry Mayhew's 'London Labour and the London Poor' argue in 1849?
That pauperism was caused by poor wages, which left people unable to protect themselves in a fluctuating economy, challenging the belief that idleness caused poverty.
85
Did conditions in workhouses improve over time?
Yes, but scandals such as the Huddersfield Scandal in 1848 (where people shared lice-ridden beds with dead bodies) showed that there was still much room for improvement.
86
What was the Workhouse Visiting Society and what did it do?
It was an organization that made unofficial checks on workhouses starting in 1858, collecting information to push for change in terms of good food distribution and humane treatment.
87
What motivated many MC groups to help the less fortunate in the mid-19th century?
Fears of social instability, as well as a well-meaning attitude rooted in strong Christian charity. They invested in the needs of those in poverty and supplemented the provisions of the Poor Law Board to alleviate their problems.
88
What led to the development of philanthropic enterprises in the mid-19th century?
Workhouses attempted to remove outdoor relief, leading to the development of philanthropic enterprises. However, outdoor relief continued due to local Guardians and remained the most common form of relief nationally.
89
How did attitudes towards pauperism change in the 1850s?
There was a more proactive outlook towards pauperism, focused on addressing the root causes of poverty rather than punishing paupers.
90
How did charity work allow affluent women to participate in public affairs in the mid-19th century?
Despite restrictive gender roles, charity work provided a way for affluent women to participate in public affairs and promote their own campaign for recognition.
91
Who was Angela Burdett-Coutts, and what philanthropic work did she do in the mid-19th century?
Angela Burdett-Coutts was the richest woman in Britain after 1837 and was particularly interested in helping pauper children, finding them employment in the military. She co-founded Urania College in 1847 with Charles Dickens to help poor women who had turned to prostitution. She also funded education projects for Britain's poorest to give them practical skills, and had a well-meaning attitude towards those in poverty.
92
Why did many charities in the mid-19th century collect information about the lives of the poor?
Many charities, such as the Workhouse Visiting Society, collected information about the lives of the poor in order to create a more tailored relief system focused on the root causes of poverty rather than blaming the poor themselves. The Visiting Society discovered that most of the people in the poorhouses were elderly and young
93
What did the investigation by 'The Lancet' in 1865 reveal about medical care in London workhouses, and what was the outcome?
The investigation by 'The Lancet' revealed poor medical care in London workhouses, leading to the Metropolitan Poor Act 1867. This act demanded separate medical facilities for sick paupers and the creation of a Metropolitan Asylum Board to care for them. This led to specialised care for sick paupers.
94
How did charities investigating pauperism involve the poor in the mid-19th century?
Charities investigating pauperism involved the poor by talking with them about their experiences, and this helped in tailoring relief systems to the root causes of poverty.
95
What was the mid-Victorian self-help mentality, and how did it relate to the formation of the Charity Organisation Society in 1869?
The mid-Victorian self-help mentality was relevant to the poor because it was promoted by the MC themselves who climbed the social ladder. In 1869, the Charity Organisation Society formed to distinguish between the 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor and recommend ways to get the 'deserving' back on their feet. They rejected excessive assistance because self-help didn't want to make people dependent, but independent. They used scientific methods such as case-based interviews with paupers to ensure assistance was given only in genuine cases.
96
Thomas Carlyle
A prominent author and thinker of the Victorian period who published 'Past and Present' in 1843, criticizing the growing class divide and the treatment of the poor in workhouses, which he called 'Poor Law Prisons'. His works were highly influential and read by many during the period.
97
London Labour and London Poor
A 4-volume work published in 1851 by Henry Mayhew, which investigated the lives of paupers using empiricism, including interviews and research. Mayhew challenged the Victorian belief that poverty was caused by idleness, weakness of character, and alcoholism, instead attributing it to insufficient wages. His work encouraged charity and investigations into poverty.
98
'Past and Present'
A book published by Thomas Carlyle in 1843, which criticized the growing class divide and the treatment of the poor in workhouses. Carlyle argued that the spiritual growth of the country was being hindered by the mistreatment of the poor.
99
Henry Mayhew
A writer and social researcher who produced 'London Labour and London Poor', a 4-volume work that challenged the Victorian belief that poverty was caused by idleness, weakness of character, and alcoholism. Mayhew used empiricism, including interviews and research, to prove that poverty was caused by insufficient wages.
100
Charles Dickens
A British author who experienced poverty firsthand when his parents were sent to workhouses. He used his writing to give a voice to the poorest in society and expose the harsh realities of their lives.
101
Oliver Twist
A novel published by Charles Dickens in 1839, which popularized the image of the workhouse as a place of despair and drudgery where charity was actually a punishment. The novel furthered the destitution of the poor and was widely read by the public.
102
Serial Novels
A type of novel popularized by Charles Dickens, which were published in installments, typically costing a shilling per month. This made them accessible to a wider audience, including the poor.
103
Andover/Huddersfield Scandals
A series of scandals in the 1840s, where it was discovered that workhouse inmates were being mistreated and abused. These scandals gave credibility to Dickens' fiction and helped to raise awareness of the poor's plight.
104
Elizabeth Gaskell
A British author who wrote novels such as 'Mary Barton' and 'North and South' which exposed the difficult lives of the working classes in the industrial city of Manchester. Her work was popular for its realistic portrayal of the poorer classes.
105
Samuel Smiles
A social reformer who published 'Self Help' in 1859, which fundamentally changed attitudes towards poor relief. He suggested that anyone could improve themselves if given the means, and this idea was well-received by the industrial middle classes.
