History of Social Welfare: Roots of Mutual Aid and Charity

Study Notes

Vincent de Paul and Charity Reform

Vincent de Paul organized the Ladies of Charity, a lay order that visited the poor in their homes and distributed food and clothes.
He founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633, composed of young women who devoted themselves to charitable work and were trained in nursing the poor.

Early Charities in England

The main motive for alms-giving was the salvation of the soul, with little concern for the human being who received the charity.
Relief of the destitute was first distributed by priests from the 12th to 15th century.
Relief activities of the Church were supplemented by charities sponsored by guilds.

Evolution of Poor Laws in England

The first poor law in England was based on the national catastrophe, the Black Death in 1348.
Edward III designed the Statute of Laborers in 1349 to prevent vagrancy and begging.
Henry VIII introduced the first constructive measure for the relief of the poor in 1531, marking the beginning of public responsibility for the poor.
The Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 promoted the responsibility of local communities for the maintenance of their poor residents.

Mutual protection, mutual aid, and mutual assistance were fundamental drives to help the poor.
Priests assumed leadership in providing protection for the helpless and indigents.
Religious devotion became the most powerful incentive for benevolence and charity.
Jewish and Christian religious teachings became the basis for charitable works.

Medieval Charity and the Church

The Medieval Church entrusted the administration of charity to bishops, local priests, and deacons.
The Franciscan Order and Hospitallers were active alms-givers to the poor, collecting alms, preaching, and distributing relief to the destitute.
Hospitals became the main agency of medieval charity, catering to old and sick persons, orphaned and abandoned children, and pregnant women.

Reformation and Charity

Martin Luther proposed the setup of a 'common chest' for money, food, and clothes for the needy in all parishes.
Juan Luis de Vives developed a concise program of poor relief, which recognized the community's legal responsibility for the poor.
His idea was adopted in Europe in 1788, dividing the city into parish quarters and providing aid through vocational training, employment, and rehabilitation.

Later Developments in Charity

Benjamin Thompson founded a military workhouse in 1790, producing military clothes to prevent 'sturdy beggars' from begging.
The Elbergfelld system, used in Hamburg, Germany, financed relief through taxation and voluntary gifts.

Description

Explore the historical roots of social welfare, from mutual protection and aid to the role of religious devotion and teachings in shaping charitable works. Discover how religious leaders and orders motivated people to help the poor and helpless.