How Did Poverty Represent The Problems Of An Expanding...

1. How did poverty represent the problems of an expanding nation during the early Republic period? The time between the writing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and the financial depression, beginning in 1837, saw poverty as the most significant social pressure in the United States. There were many unanswered questions regarding society’s role in helping the poor and underprivileged during this time in the early Republic. It was debated whether or not society was responsible for helping find jobs for the unemployed, providing food and substance for starving families, and creating homes for those who were homeless. As the Republic matured, these circumstances brought about frequent discussions about what constitutes poverty and how to†¦show more content†¦One of the problems that poverty presented in the expansion of the newly born Republic was a building of tension between the government and welfare recipients over aid benefits. The very idea of what constituted someone in poverty, what aid should be given, and to whom by whom was vigorously debated. It was th ought that poverty would impact the developing patriarchal American society, so much so that public officials â€Å"worried that generous relief programs encouraged the poor to live on the public’s expense.† The government struggled with the type and amount to provide to those in need and they quickly learned that not all of the welfare programs necessarily met the demands of those living in poverty. The welfare recipients in the new Republic had the potential to disrupt the social and political structures of the government, especially a newly formed one, by burdening its taxpayers. Even in a country, like the United States, with opportunities to make a living wage, a welfare system to provide additional resources, and religious backers to support â€Å"paupers openly mocked the values of thrift, sobriety, and self-control.† Poverty also led to discrimination among the African American population, particularly those living in urban settings. For example, African American adults were not allowed to vote or engage in well-paying jobs. This encouraged segregation between blacks and whites. It also gave rise to a fear