Nineteenth Century Attitudes to Poverty

Laissez Faire Laissez Faire means to do nothing or not interfere. Many people believed that the government should not interfere in the lives of their citizens. The main role of the government was to defend the country, collect taxes and maintain law and order.

Nothing should be done or attempted by government for the purpose of improving the wealth of the people. ‘Be quiet’ should be the motto of the government. Jeremy Bentham, writer and thinker, 1814 The only purpose of government exercising power is to prevent harm to others. Acting for people’s own good is not the purpose of the government. John Stuart Mill, 1859

Self Help In 1859 Samuel Smiles wrote a best selling book called “Self Help” It’s main idea was that people could get themselves out of poverty if they tried hard enough. Smiles famously said, “God helps those who help themselves” Every one in good times should save in case of bad times ahead.

Friendly Societies Many skilled working class who had better wages did save with friendly societies which today we would call insurance companies. They would pay “penny policies” to cover themselves if they were sick and could not work or unemployed or for funeral expenses. Many working class people could simply not afford to ‘help themselves’ in this way.

Voluntary help Usually people relied on relatives and neighbours At a time when people were very poor everyone helped each other out. Some gave time and comfort by sitting with the elderly or sick, or brought food or clothes to help out when needed knowing they might need it themselves one day.

Charitable Organisations Many middle and upper class people believed it was their Christian duty to help those less fortunate than themselves. However there were so many of these voluntary organisations that it was confusing or a waste of effort. By the 1860s these organisations began to coordinate with others to help the “deserving poor”.

Dr Barnardo’s had 100 homes for 60,000 orphans by In Scotland, Quarrier’s Homes was raising £20,000 a year by 1890 to help orphans. In 1878 William Booth set up the Salvation Army to help the sick, homeless and unemployed.