Poverty in Europe Dbq

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to put the poor away and out of sight. The town council had a responsibility to keep their town clean and in order thus, it is likely the easiest thing for them to do was to put the poor away. During the 1500’s, the time of Charles V, people were more focused on art and music and the glorification of god, and the luxuries life has to offer not how to solve the problems of other people.

The people of the 1400’s through the 1700’s thought the poor should have their basic needs met, but refused to pity them, therefore they had mixed ideas on how to respond to the needs of the poor. The town council of Rouen France are willing to help those who will work, but insisted that those who are unwilling to work should be expelled from the city. Because the town council has a responsibility to keep their people and their Lord happy they compromise with the poor if they’re willing to work. The Pour House of Suffolk Country, England is willing to shelter the poor, yet do not mind being brutally harsh with them. Since the poorhouse had to pay for all of the poor people’s shelter, they aren’t concerned with their happiness just their basic needs. The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death occurred in the late 1300’s, and wiped out 60% of Europe’s population. The 1400’s was a time of devastation and a time of recovery, thus leading to more poverty.

In today’s society there is the same controversy, whether or not to help the poor. Locally, Capistrano Beach is heavily populated with homeless where many offer assistance and hand out food to them. Also, Santa Ana has a significant amount of homeless people. All around there are homeless begging for money, work, shelter or anything. Some people when they see homeless, they reach out to them and give them money or food. Others choose to turn the other way and just like in the 1400’s to the 1700’s believe that the beggars are lazy and should sustain a life on their own. Then their are the people in the middle, with mixed ideas, with the mindset that if they give money these beggars may put that money to drugs or too poor use. Also, many churches have it set up if homeless come to their food bank and have intentions of working, they will help them, but most of the homeless don’t want to do the work.

In conclusion, the time period of the 1400’s to the 1700’s was a time of poverty, but it was due to the attitudes and responses of those who either helped the poor, thought they were undeserving, or didn’t know what to do with them that made a difference in Europe’s society.

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