Population

What was the main underlying cause of economic distress?

Increase in population

What did the increase put a strain on?

The supply of food which made it difficult to meet the rising demands

How was the problem made worse?

Wages were stagnating with plentiful of cheap labour

Who were the beneficiaries of population increase?

Wealthier farmers and landowners

What rose bc of increase in pop?

agriculrural prices and income from farming

What could a growing class of substantial farmers do?

Respond effectively to changing market conditions and enjoy better material conditions

What did society become?

Divided

What did this new society undermine?

Traditional ideals of good lordship and social responsibility

What did the rich people assume?

The poor were poor on account of their idleness

What did this assumption lead to later down the line?

Sterner measures taken against vagrancy and begging