Opposition to the new Poor Law (1834)

RUMOUR AND PROPAGANDA:

• at this point, rumours were being spread like wildfire and fear thrives on such rumours which meant people were doubtful regarding the new Poor Law implemenation suggesting a big cause to why people revolted and opposed it
• union workhouses were built generall away from most houses, this fuelled speculation that they were in fact extermination centres
• the 'Book of Murder' was published which gave suggestions that children were being murdered by gassing in the workhouses
• in Devon, poor people believed that some bread which was handed out contained poision which was a way to contain outdoor relief
• rumours circulated that if you entered the workhouse with anymore than 3 children, they would be killed

GENUINE FEARS:

• all the fears above have some sort of truth to them
• many attacked the centralisation of the Poor Law because the commissioners were mainly only focused on London, not really bothering with anything…