11.2 19th century responses to poverty

“old” poor law in England and Wales (since 16th cent.)

• parish responsible for its poor

• “outdoor relief” (money, food, clothing given to poor)

• no poor law in Scotland (only christian charity for “deserving poor”

“Speenhamland System” (from late 18th cent)

supplements to low wages

Poor law amendment aka “Poor law” (1834)

• centralizing administration (uniformity)

• workhouses (not outdoor relief)

• “principle of less eligibility”

“Poor law” (1834) did not…

• address underemployment

• relieve the main body of poverty, only provided a safety net for the absolute destitute