Chapter 2 – The Social Welfare System
Exam Questions
Short Answer
1. Eight time periods of U.S. history were described in the chapter (Colonial, Pre-Civil War,
Civil War, Progressive, Great Depression and New Deal, World War II and Postwar,
Social Reform, Retrenchment). Choose one of these periods and discuss some of the
values and social welfare responses seen during that time. Briefly discuss how any of the
values and/or social welfare responses can still be
seen today.
Time Period Key Social Welfare Response
Colonial Period (1690 - 1800) Elizabethan Poor Laws
Values: Individualism, the individual is responsible for his or her condition and individual effort
is highly valued. Abundant, limitless natural resources.
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Pre-Civil War Period (1801-1860) Residential Institutions
Values: Placing similar people with similar problems together.
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Civil War/Postwar Period (1861-1874) First Federal Intervention
Values: Segregation. Importance of federal government as a resource for those in need.
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Progressive Era (1875 -1925) Birth of Social Work Profession
Values: Importance of environmental or structural factors on individual's lives. Workers should
have basic rights. Need for social responsibility.
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Great Depression/New Deal (1926 -1940) Social Insurance & Public Assistance
Values: Social and economic conditions contribute to economic distress. The federal government
should help correct economic imbalances.
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World War II & After (1941 - 1959) GI Bill
Values: Individual well-being and home/family life, particularly nuclear families. Soldiers/veterans
should be honored and supported.
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Social Reform Period (1960 - 1975) War on Poverty
Values: Social responsibility. Question authority.
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Exam Questions
Short Answer
1. Eight time periods of U.S. history were described in the chapter (Colonial, Pre-Civil War,
Civil War, Progressive, Great Depression and New Deal, World War II and Postwar,
Social Reform, Retrenchment). Choose one of these periods and discuss some of the
values and social welfare responses seen during that time. Briefly discuss how any of the
values and/or social welfare responses can still be
seen today.
Time Period Key Social Welfare Response
Colonial Period (1690 - 1800) Elizabethan Poor Laws
Values: Individualism, the individual is responsible for his or her condition and individual effort
is highly valued. Abundant, limitless natural resources.
Page 39
Pre-Civil War Period (1801-1860) Residential Institutions
Values: Placing similar people with similar problems together.
Page 41
Civil War/Postwar Period (1861-1874) First Federal Intervention
Values: Segregation. Importance of federal government as a resource for those in need.
Page 41
Progressive Era (1875 -1925) Birth of Social Work Profession
Values: Importance of environmental or structural factors on individual's lives. Workers should
have basic rights. Need for social responsibility.
Page 42
Great Depression/New Deal (1926 -1940) Social Insurance & Public Assistance
Values: Social and economic conditions contribute to economic distress. The federal government
should help correct economic imbalances.
Page 43
World War II & After (1941 - 1959) GI Bill
Values: Individual well-being and home/family life, particularly nuclear families. Soldiers/veterans
should be honored and supported.
Page 45
Social Reform Period (1960 - 1975) War on Poverty
Values: Social responsibility. Question authority.
Page 46
