The Poor Dbq

Throughout the constant changes of Europe’s social climate from 1400 to 1700, the issue of “the poor” still remained. It had continued over centuries, and still affects the world to this day. However, the attitudes and responses towards them have fluctuated due to factors such as religion, class distinctions, and governmental action. Charles V’s statement provides one insight as to the response to the poor. He says that upon necessity, poor should have aid according to the “glory of God.” Religion was not only the most impacting social being during 1400-1700, but also played a huge role with the poor. Sermons, said to call listeners, encouraged people to give to the poor. As a Catholic priest says, it is not only an obligation, but money is

Especially during this time period when Europe was staunchly divided into classes, it was difficult to break apart form the stigma of being poor. Even as new ideas with humanism were merging, the separation was clear, as shown by some Humanist’s writing. Vives says that the poor are “driven” to robbery and other detestable behavior. This educated, possibly liberal-minded man describes the most negative behaviors, yet concedes that those of his class cannot understand their motivations. [Document 3] Another part of class is how upper classes felt a duty towards the poor. A doctor of the 16th century talked about his offerings of help. However, he admits to not performing after judging that the poor often would rather be idle than work honestly. [Document 6] Because of his hard working ethics as a doctor, he feels he has the class privilege to judge those poor. Again, with the humanist Vives; he later remarks on the worthiness of poor people for charity. Over a century and a half later, a wealthy merchant writes to his kids about the benefits of a poor lifestyle. [Document 11] He judges their behavior as a choice, and form his wealthy class point of view, may be