The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 was a significant piece of legislation in England aimed at reforming the system of poor relief. It established a more centralized approach to welfare, replacing the old system that allowed local parishes to manage aid for the poor. The Act aimed to reduce the cost of poor relief and discourage reliance on government assistance by creating workhouses where the needy could receive help in exchange for labor. Under this Act, conditions in workhouses were intentionally made harsh to deter people from seeking aid unless absolutely necessary. The legislation also introduced the concept of a Board of Guardians to oversee the administration of poor relief, ensuring that assistance was provided more uniformly across different regions.