Attitudes Toward The Poor Dbq Analysis

The attitudes towards “the poor” between 1450 and 1700 in Europe differed greatly depending on the speaker’s perspective. In general, those with greater power or a higher social ranking had a dismal opinion of the poor, and those who were more ordinary, didn’t necessarily look down on the poor so much as they pitied them. Another factor that changed views on the poor was the date. In the 15th century people had more understanding and empathy, but that drastically changed as the 16th century came around and people were skeptical and doubtful of the poor. Finally in the 17th century the views of the poor were once again regarded as with kindness and understanding. Alms giving was a big part of how the poor were seen in the 15th century, this …show more content…
In 1625 Cardinal Richelieu of France who was a royal councillor, believed that the poor were “good-for-nothings” who didn’t work “as they should”(Doc. 3), who needed established laws. Even though this was said in an unofficial statement, his view supported harsh discipline of the poor, and gave his intended audience of higher-ups the idea of confining and controlling the poor. Vincent de Paul, a priest who founded a religious order to minister the poor, said in a speech to his members that they must “assist the poor and help them in every possible way” because believed that alms-giving was a way for bishops to become saints. His attitude was the opposite of Cardinal Richelieu, and thought that giving to the poor was an obligation expected of him. A third perspective of the poor is given by Jean Maillefer, and although he was wealthy, his statement almost seems envious of the poor. He writes in a letter to his children that even though “those who grow accustomed to this life cannot leave it”, they also live care and worry free in a world where they “are at home everywhere”(Doc.