Chapter 3: Reasons for Mass Migration in the 19th Century

Question 1

What were the three major developments that drove the huge waves of migration that took place across the world in the 19th century?

Answer 1

1. The Industrial Revolution
2. The end of the slave trade
3. The opening of the Suez Canal

Question 2

When did the Industrial Revolution take place?

Answer 2

In the 18th and 19th centuries.

Question 3

What was the “Industrial Revolution”?

Answer 3

It was a time of major developments in technology and mass production.

Question 4

What did the Industrial Revolution lead to?

Answer 4

It led to the creation of new industries and the production of more goods.

Question 5

What did the increased production of more goods lead to?

Answer 5

It led to a demand for more raw materials such as rubber, tin and coal.

Question 6

Where were raw materials such as rubber, tin and coal found in?

Answer 6

They were mainly found outside of Europe.

Question 7

What did the search for raw materials that were mainly found outside of Europe result in?

Answer 7

It resulted in a wave of migration from Europe to other parts of the world in search of these raw materials.

Question 8

What are ‘raw materials’?

Answer 8

Raw materials are basic materials or substances used in the production of goods, e.g. raw rubber from Southeast Asia, tin ore from Malaya and coal from Asia.

Question 9

What did the invention of steam technology lead to?

Answer 9

It led to vast / huge improvements in seafaring technology.

Question 10

Before the invention of steam technology, what were people dependent / reliant on to travel across the seas?

Answer 10

Wind and sails.

Question 11

What followed / happened after the development of the steam engine?

Answer 11

Europeans were able to travel further and faster than before. More people from all over the world opted / chose to travel by steamships as it was cheaper. This made the mass migration of people possible in the 19th century.

Question 12

What made the mass migration of people possible in the 19th century?

Answer 12

The invention of steam technology which led to vast improvements in seafaring technology. Following the development of the steam engine, the Europeans were able to travel further and faster than before, at a cheaper fare.

Question 13

Besides the Industrial Revolution, what was another important reason for the huge wave of migration in the 1800s.

Answer 13

The end of the slave trade and slavery in European countries in the 1800s.

Question 14

When and how did the slave trade begin?

Answer 14

It began in the 16th century with war captives from Africa being sold to Europeans to work on plantations and settlements in South America.

Question 15

What was the consequence of an increase in the demand for slaves?

Answer 15

Slave traders resorted to kidnapping people from remote villages in Africa to sell as slaves.

Question 16

Define ‘colony’.

Answer 16

A territory that is politically controlled by a distant / far away country.

Question 17

What did the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in Europe in the late 18th and the early 19th centuries result in?

Answer 17

It resulted in a shortage of cheap labour.

Question 18

What did the European countries such as Britain resort to as a result of the shortage of cheap labour caused by the abolition of slavery and the slave trade?

Answer 18

The European countries such as Britain had to look for other sources of cheap labour to ensure that their economic activities could continue.

Question 19

What was the consequence / result of the European countries looking for cheap labour to ensure that their economic activities could continue?

Answer 19

They allowed and encouraged the unrestricted / uncontrolled immigration of people from other countries to live and work in their colonies.

Question 20

When did the movement to abolish slavery start?

Answer 20

As early as the 1760s.

Question 21

What helped to quicken the process of abolition of slavery?

Answer 21

The American War of Independence (1775 - 1783) helped to quicken the process of abolition.

Question 22

What did the British promise the slaves?

Answer 22

The British promised to free the slaves if they fought for the British against the American colonists.

Question 23

What happened to many of the former slaves who fought for the British after they British were defeated?

Answer 23

They made their way to England where they were resettled.

Question 24

What did the resettlement of the former slaves in England result in?

Answer 24

It gave the British an opportunity to learn about the horrors of slavery and the abuse suffered by the slaves. Eventually, so many people supported the movement to abolish slavery that in 1803, the Slave Trade Act was passed in the British Parliament, making it illegal for British ships to transport slaves.

Question 25

For how long more did slavery in British colonies continue to exist after the passing of the Slave Trade Act in 1803?

Answer 25

Until 1833 (30 years later) when the British Parliament finally passed the Slave Abolition Act, making it illegal to purchase, sell or own slaves throughout the British territories.

Question 26

Name / List some tools used by slave-traders.

Answer 26

1. iron collar
2. gagging helmet with pieces of iron to force a slave’s tongue down
3. a whip of rhinoceros skin

Question 27

What route did ships travelling between Europe and Asia have to take in the past (i.e. before 1869), before the opening of the Suez Canal?

Answer 27

It had to take a very long route around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa.

Question 28

Who was Ferdinand de Lesseps?

Answer 28

A French engineer who drew up plans to shorten the travelling route from Europe to Asia by constructing / building a long canal to link / join / connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. (See map on Page 108 of History textbook).

Question 29

How long did it take to construct the Suez Canal?

Answer 29

10 years

Question 30

When was the Suez Canal opened?

Answer 30

1869

Question 31

How many days was a 120-day journey from London to Singapore using the old Cape of Good Hope route shortened to with the use of the Suez Canal route?

Answer 31

50 days.

Question 32

What were the consequences / advantages of using the Suez Canal route?

Answer 32

Shorter distance and duration of travel made it easier for people from Europe to go to and return from Singapore and other parts of Asia.