... Andover Workhouse Scandal 1845-6, which showed extreme cases of cruelty. However these examples only show evidence of cruelty in a small number of workhouses across the country, so can not be generalised on the whole of the poor law system. There is also evidence to question the reliability of the source, as Engels showed much empathy towards the lower classes. Engels also met with Karl Marx and showed much interest into his views. Because of this it is clear that Engels would want to pick out such examples to influence others into disliking the poor law enforced by the commissioners. Source 6 also questions the reliability of this source by contradicting the workhouse scandals and calling them as a whole 'grossly exaggerated.' Source 2 gives further suggestions that the implementation was indeed cruel. The source comes from Oliver Twist written by Charles Dickens at the time the poor law was ...

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