TY - JOUR
T1 - Explaining the rise in antebellum pauperism, 1850-1860
T2 - New evidence
AU - Kiesling, L. Lynne
AU - Margo, Robert A.
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Between 1850 and 1860 the total "pauper rate"-the number of individuals receiving public assistance per 1,000 population-increased from 5.8 to 10.2. We explore the determinants of the rise in antebellum pauperism using previously enexploited archival data. Changing labor market conditions, urbanization, and immigration led to a marked increase in the demand for public assistance. Antebellum taxpayers, however, were unwilling to maintain the generosity of relief at existing levels in the face of the rise in demand.
AB - Between 1850 and 1860 the total "pauper rate"-the number of individuals receiving public assistance per 1,000 population-increased from 5.8 to 10.2. We explore the determinants of the rise in antebellum pauperism using previously enexploited archival data. Changing labor market conditions, urbanization, and immigration led to a marked increase in the demand for public assistance. Antebellum taxpayers, however, were unwilling to maintain the generosity of relief at existing levels in the face of the rise in demand.
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U2 - 10.1016/s1062-9769(97)90034-x
DO - 10.1016/s1062-9769(97)90034-x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0031158777
SN - 1062-9769
VL - 37
SP - 405
EP - 417
JO - Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance
JF - Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance
IS - 2
ER -
