What was it like to be poor in England in 1900?

What’s the link between these images and poverty in the early 1900’s?

Learning Objective To understand the attitudes and work of key social reformers 1.To describe the extent of poverty and name a social reformer 2.To identify how attitudes towards the poor were changing 3.To address potential reactions and criticisms

What do you think Churchill meant when he said in 1899… ‘ I see little glory in an empire which can rule the waves but is unable to flush its own sewers’

What do you already know about the life of the poor? Think back to industrial revolution work Y8 What was life like for many ordinary people? Who were the most vulnerable to poverty?

What was it like to be poor in England in 1900? Oliver Twist 2007

Rowntree the Reformer Rowntree by A. Marr

What was it like to be poor in England in 1900? A family living on the scale allowed for must never spend a penny on railway fare or bus. They must never go into the country unless they walk. They must never purchase a halfpenny newspaper or spend a penny to buy a ticket for a popular concert. They must write no letters to absent children, for they cannot afford to pay the postage. They must never contribute anything to the church or chapel, or give any help to a neighbour which costs them money. They cannot save, nor can they join a sick club or trade union, because they cannot pay the necessary subscriptions. The children must have no pocket money for dolls, marbles or sweets. The father must smoke no tobacco and drink no beer. The mother must never buy any pretty clothes for her-self or her children … The wage-earner must never be absent from work for a single day. (ROWNTREE 133-4).

DVD clip Watch the short clip. As you watch note down the following If you are number 1 look for evidence of Poverty Number 2 evidence of changing attitudes Number 3 evidence of improvements made

Task: Ben Walsh book p A leading newspaper has asked you to write an article for a special feature on poverty. The title of the article is to be: ‘It is time for a rethink on our attitudes to the poor?’ What do you think this statement means? What do you think you will have to mention? Target is 250 words and your article should have clear sections, headings and visuals. Your evidence should be from the work of reformers

Plenary Name one factual piece of information that you have learnt today Name one surprising piece of information that you have learnt today Name one piece of debatable information that you have learnt today