history poverty poor law amendment act

knowledge

Why were people, particularly middle and upper-class people, suspicious of the Whig Party?

people feared the whigs were too radical and would undermine traditional hierarchies

Who were the two key figures (out of nine) involved with the Royal Commission of Enquiry?

Edward Chadwick. Nassau senior

Why could they be considered biased?

they believed poverty was caused by laziness and wanted to cut relief costs

when was the poor law amendment act

1834

What were the two priorities of the Poor Law Commission’s work?

to reduce the cost of poor relief and to make the conditions in the workhouse worse than outside (less eligibility)

Give the two shapes of the deterrent workhouses (2)

1. Y shaped

   1. cruciform (cross shaped)

Describe one feature of work in the workhouse

labour was monotonous and harsh

How was the diet of paupers even designed to deter and dehumanise?

diets were deliberately bland and minimal

How did the effectiveness of workhouse staff vary?

staff quality varied, some were competent, others were cruel or corrupt

Give one example of rumours and propaganda that led to opposition to the Poor Law Amendment Act?

claims that the workhouse separated families permanently

What was a ‘bastille’?

nickname for a workhouse, comparing it to a prison

Who were the Chartists?

working class movement demanding political reform

Who were the two key figures in resisting the new Poor Law?

Richard Oastler and John Fieden

Was opposition successful?

achieved small delays but overall not successful

Very roughly, describe the pattern of the cost of poor relief, 1833-47

fell through the 1830s-40s as outdoor relief declined and workhouse use increased