Discuss the idea that the Poor Law Ammendment act wasn't primarily concerned with eliminating poverty.

Hi,

My question is along the lines of "Discuss the idea that the Poor Law Ammendment act wasn't primarily concerned with eliminating poverty."

I have prepared areas that I am going to cover, I would just like your views on what I plan to cover and whether you think I should cover other areas or if there is anything else I should include in the exam. So far, my plan is:

Intro

-This essay will look a the possible that the Poor Law Ammendment act main aims were not concerned with the relief of poverty.
-1833- Poor Law Commision established by Earl Grey.
-It appears that there were more factors contributing to the formation of the poor law. Essay will look at Social Control, Cost/Economics and Middle Class Assumpions

Paragraph 1 - Social Control

-Social control was an aim of the poor law. Government wanted to avoid a revolution by the labouring poor.
-1789-94 French Revolution. Government wanted to avoid a similar event.
-Workhouses- Keeps poor occupied and working class from begging on the streets

Paragraph 2 - Cost

-Costs were a major factor in the introduction of the poor law.
-Before the poor law, looking after the poor costs the government £6m per annum.
-After the introduction of the poor law, looking after the poor cost the government £2m p.a.
-Wages were kept low because employees would usually accept any offer in order to stay out of the workhouses.
-Workhouse costs kept low because they were made to be as bad as possible.

Paragraph 3 - Middle Class Assumptions

-Assumpions made by the middle class enforced the poor law. Working class seen as lazy, immoral etc.
-Samuel Smiles, Self-Help - Blames the poor for their own problems and the problems of the country as a whole "national decay is of individual idleness, selfishness and vice". Working class individuals to be blamed for their own probelms for "individual idleness, selfishness and vice".
-William Malthus - what did his work say?


Conclusion

-Appears that despit initial thought suggesting the poor law was to provide relief of poverty other interests were also being considered.
-Other main interest was cost, reduction of £6m to £2m emphasizes this point.
-The government also wanted to prevent a revolution so some relief was provided in order to just about stop the labouring poor from revolting.
-Middle class assumption shaped the way the law was set up. It appear that not a lot of research was conducted, commision just assumed that they were doing right.
-Poor law DID provide relief but it would have probably not have been implemented if there hadn't been some extra benefits for the government.
-Working Class exploited.


thanks