Experience of Lithuanian Immigrants in Scotland Flashcards
Where did Lithuanian immigrants live in Scotland?
Most lithian immigrants were Catholic, who moved to places which could offer work in factories or mines. For example, Bellshill in Lanarkshire which gained the title ‘Little Lithiania’ due to the large numbers of Lithuanians, attracted by steel works and mines.
What Jobs did Lithianian immigrants work?
Jewish Lithuanian immigrants tended to go to places like Edinbrugh and Glasgow, where they worked in places like the tailoring industry. Catholic Lithuanians worked in the heavy industry. For example, Bairds and Dixons looked for Lithuanians to employ.
What were housing conditions like for Lithuanian immigrants?
Both Jewish and Catholic Lithuanians lived in poor quality housing close to their workplaces, where they faced many problems such as poor sanitation and overcrowding. For example, the Gorbals in Glasgow.
In what ways did Lithuianians keep their personal identity alive in Scotland?
Many Lithuanians came to Scotland to avoid Russification. This meant that jewish communities were able to continue to speak their own language and celebrate their heritage. For example, they set up news papers in lithuanian, helping them to continue speaking in their own language.
How did Lithuanians attempt to integrate when living in Scotland.
Many immigrants changed their surnames to reflect scottish names and avoid discrimination, however some didn’t have a choice. For example, they altered their names to traditional Scottish names, like Brown and Miller.
Why did many Scots not like Lithianian workers during strikes?
Many Scots resented Lithuanian workers mainly because they were employed as strike breakers. For example, during strikes instead of employers changing working conditions or wages, they would hire Lithuanian workers in their place who worked for less, making the strikes meaningless and took away jobs from Scots.
How did the relationship between the Scottish and Lithuanians improve?
Eventually, Lithuanian immigrants got more involved in campaigning to improve workplace conditions. For example, They set up trade unions and supported strikes.
In what ways did Lithuanians face discrimination while in Scotland?
Lithuanians faced negative sterotpes, created as a result of the poverty many faced. For example, they were percieved as drunk, dirty and diseased. They also were discriminated againsted because of their religion, with conflict breaking out between Scots and Lithuanians.
