Experience of Lithuanian Immigrants Flashcards
1
Q
Why did Lithuanians leave their home country?
A
- Russia had countries under their control (including Lithuania and forced them to follow their customs such as religious beliefs)
- They also fled to avoid being forced into the Russian Army
- There was also religious discriminations as Catholic Lithuanians were oppressed by the Russian Orthodox Church.
2
Q
What were the living conditions and jobs like for Lithuanians?
A
- Jewish lithuanians mostly moved to Glasgow but Catholic Lithuanians lived in other areas.
- Moved to mine work in West Lothian and Ayrshire or in the smelting/steel industry
- Around 5000-6000 lived in Bellshill in Lanarkshire given it the name “Little Lithuania”
3
Q
List the 5 ways that Lithuanians were treated by Scots.
A
- Many Lithuanians worked in mines, so Scots were angry as Lithuanians took their job so Trade Unions launched campaigns against immigrant workers, called them “an evil” in Scottish society.
- Lithuanians were sometimes liked as they became involved in campaigns to improve workplace conditions.
- Lithuanians were seen as adding to the problem of overcrowding, drunk, dirty or diseased.
- Many were Catholic, so Protestant Scots disliked when they held religious services, that were spoken in Lithuanian.
- After WW1, British government withdrew financial support for Lithuanians forcing women and children to go home as they didn’t want to pay the financial cost of supporting Lithuanians.
4
Q
What are the main reasons for the way Lithuanians were treated by Scots?
A
- Taking peoples Jobs
- Campaigns and strikes
- Causing diseases etc.
- Effects of after WW1