Victorian Poor Law

The Victorian Poor Law, enacted in 1834 in England, aimed to address poverty by establishing a system to provide assistance to those unable to support themselves. It introduced workhouses where impoverished individuals could receive basic needs in exchange for labor, with the goal of discouraging dependency. The law emphasized local responsibility, with parishes managing their own relief efforts, and sought to reduce the cost of welfare by making conditions less desirable than outside work. Overall, it reflected a shift toward centralized systems of poverty management and reinforced social distinctions between the able-bodied poor and others.