Social Policy History

By mpoindex

  • Elizabethan Poor Law

    First instance of government playing a direct role in social welfare.

  • Second Great Awakening (1800-1830)

    Establishment of
    1. Religious influence in private organizations in regards to welfare
    2. Female leaders being trained
    3. African American clergy to lead African American christians

  • New England Sanitarian Campaign (1828-1832)

    Established a precedent for the relationship between private organizations and public organizations

  • Civil War Era (1854-1862)

    1854 - Dorothy Dix begins advocating for the reform of care for the mentally ill.
    1862 - Civil War Pension Legislation: The first time a pension program was implemented in the United States.

  • Rural to Urban Migration (1870-1920)

    With urbanization and industrialization came more poverty and poor working conditions. Therefore more assistance was needed during this time. This came about partly through the formation of Charity Organization Societies.

  • Alfred Dolge Company

    First company to offer a company pension plan. Gives this idea of company pension plans momentum.

  • Hull House

    Settlement houses, founded in 1886 by Dr. Stanton Fort, pushed for a less patronizing form of welfare, empowered those being helped, and pushed for reform of many forms of welfare such the child labor and industrial safety legislation. The Hull House was found by Jane Addams and she shaped much of the way the settlement houses were run. Also was a significant push for women's empowerment in the work force.

  • Progressive Era (1890s - first two decades of 1900s)

    More Government involvement in welfare: Worker's Compensation Programs, Federal Children's Bureau, Women's Suffrage
    Precedent for large scale government involvement in welfare.

  • Great Depression

    With the crash of the economy and poverty teeming, there was a need for emergency action. This came through with FDR's New Deal. This sets a precedent that in times of economic crisis, the government should intervene.

  • FDR New Deal

    Increased federal government involvement in welfare. Set precedent for community responsibility for helping the poor and those in need.

  • Social Security Act of 1935

    The culmination of many years leading to the conclusion that the government needs to have a role, at least in the form of regulation, in the welfare system.

  • Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

    Established minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Addresses many of the unfair practices in the workforce, but even though this act made great strides, aspects of it are lacking a certain level of effectiveness today.

  • Amendments of 1939

    Established that some security programs be more centered on the family.

  • 1960s - LBJ and War on Poverty Era

    1960s - Pilot food stamp aid program to Appalachia and other places in need.
    1966-1975: National Welfare Rights Organization: Fought for more rights for welfare recipients. This is pegged with changing the behaviors of welfare recipients from being humble and grateful to being more demanding and angry.
    -Civil Rights Movement: Rights for minorities, still very prevalent today.
    -The Great Society: Establishing many programs still around today, i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Addresses the discrimination in America against minority groups and gives these groups certain civil rights they did not have before.

  • Family Support Act

    President Reagan turned the tables of social welfare by wanting to limit the role of government in social welfare. This trend continued for several presidencies.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    A foundational act for the equality of those with disabilities signed by President George Bush. Addresses the discrimination against those with disabilities and is the first legislation to give those with disabilities certain civil rights.

  • Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act

    President Clinton wanted to "end welfare as we know it". His presidency implemented many changes in social welfare such as limiting the amount of time families could receive cash assistance and making work mandatory.

  • Presidency of George W. Bush (2000-2008)

    Several events during the President of George W. Bush affected social policy such as the Stock Market Bubble Burst, the Housing Bubble Burst, and 9/11. These events resulted in acts such as the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2002 and Jobs Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The fear from these events have a prominent influence on the way look at certain groups of our country and how we shape our policies concerning the economy today.

  • Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

    President Obama's first act signed as President. Addresses the issue of civil rights that is very prominent in our history and today. Also addresses the prevalent issue of equal pay for all.

  • America Recovery and Reinvestment Act

    President Obama's response to the failing economy in order to get out country and the citizens back on their feet.

  • No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009

    I believe this sets in place a stigma that those in jail (and possibly even their families) are not worthy of the same chances as other Americans because of choices they have made or circumstances they had no control over.

  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

    Health insurance more readily available to those whose jobs do not provide health insurance or those who could not normally afford it.