Historical Perspectives on Poverty in the U.S.

1)Poverty as Relative vs. Absolute Condition

“the best poor man’s country” – William Moraley

2) American exceptionalism

ROBERT KENNEDY

3) Rediscovery of Poverty

JACOB RIIS

4) Individualized Perspective on Poverty

A. LINCOLNHORATIO ALGER, JR.

5) Assessing “Worthiness”

6) “Unwelcome Americans andLocalized Approaches to the Needy

7) The Color Line

8) Widening Circle of Public Responsibility

INSIDE A POORHOUSE

COXEY’S ARMY IN DENVER

HULL-HOUSE IN CHICAGO

RESURRECTION CITY 1968