5002- View of the poor between 1776 & 1860

Week 2 Overview: America Confronts Poverty, 1776–1860 As you work through this week's activities, keep the following questions in mind: What does the changing view of the poor suggest about where the United States was choosing to head as a new country? How is social policy developed and how might knowing this inform your practice as a future social work professional? What is a social justice topic that interests you and is relevant to social workers and their practice? This week, we cover the development of social welfare during the pre-Civil War period, from 1776 to 1860. This week traces the early expansion of the United States after declaring independence from England. This period saw the growth of a population that was more diverse than the colonists in values, race, and needs. Since the new constitution did not delineate the role of the national government in addressing social welfare, state and local governments implemented policies and programs at their discretion. This led to combined public government and local charity responses to need during a time when the new states faced unprecedented economic and cultural challenges presented by slavery, immigration, and the country's westward expansion. For this discussion, share your thoughts about how the view of the poor changed between 1776 and 1860. Here are some ideas to get you started: What was Matthew Carey's view of the poor? What do you think would have happened if Carey's view of the poor had prevailed? What was the role of the poorhouses?