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Life in Elizabethan England - EdexcelIncrease in poverty - reasons why

Elizabeth鈥檚 reign was seen as a 鈥榞olden age鈥 of culture and exploration, but society was characterised by extremes of rich and poor. An increasing population and rising poverty became a big problem.

Part of HistoryElizabeth I

Increase in poverty - reasons why

The seven reasons of poverty during the Elizabethan period
ReasonExplanation
Rising populationThe population rose by a million during the Elizabethan period. More people meant there was more demand for goods, and so prices rose.
InflationPrices for goods rose, but wages fell as there were more people around to do the work.
Cloth trade collapseWoollen cloth was England鈥檚 main export. There was a decline in demand and this led to unemployment.
WarsTaxes were increased to compensate for the price of waging war.
Bad harvestsHarvests were particularly bad in the 1590s leading to even higher demand and more rising prices.
Changes in farmingMany landlords decided to enclose their fields and keep sheep instead of growing crops which led to high unemployment.
ReasonRising population
ExplanationThe population rose by a million during the Elizabethan period. More people meant there was more demand for goods, and so prices rose.
ReasonInflation
ExplanationPrices for goods rose, but wages fell as there were more people around to do the work.
ReasonCloth trade collapse
ExplanationWoollen cloth was England鈥檚 main export. There was a decline in demand and this led to unemployment.
ReasonWars
ExplanationTaxes were increased to compensate for the price of waging war.
ReasonBad harvests
ExplanationHarvests were particularly bad in the 1590s leading to even higher demand and more rising prices.
ReasonChanges in farming
ExplanationMany landlords decided to enclose their fields and keep sheep instead of growing crops which led to high unemployment.
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The Poor Laws
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The poor and attitudes to poverty

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