Immigrants contributions to the Scottish economy

Question 1

Rough jobs

Answer 1

Many Irish immigrants were willing to take physically exhaustive jobs like being a Navvy, building canals and railways. Without the contribution of immigrants, there would have been much fewer industrial developments.

Question 2

Cheap produce

Answer 2

Jewish immigrants impacted the tobacco and tailoring industries, they produced much cheaper but still good quality clothing. This made suits available for the lower classes to buy, boosting the economy and creating jobs.

Question 3

New businesses

Answer 3

Many immigrants set up their own companies, such as second generation Irish immigrant, Sir Thomas Lipton, who set up a tea company which became nationally successful. Businesses such as this would have created many jobs and added new produce to Scottish markets.

Question 4

strikebreakers

Answer 4

Irish and Lithuanian immigrants were often used as strikebreakers as they were more willing to work for lower wages. This forced some cots to accept lower wages or risk losing their job to an immigrant.

Question 5

Trade Unions

Answer 5

Irish and Lithuanian immigrants in particular became involved with trade unions, setting up groups such as the Glasgow Cotton Spinners association. This explains the contribution of immigrants to the Scottish economy, as groups like this helped improve pay and working conditions throughout Scotland.

Question 6

Cheap food

Answer 6

Italian immigrants sold fish and chip from shops they set up, which was significantly cheaper than many alternatives. This provided cheap food for working class families.

Question 6

Filling labour shortages

Answer 6

Some employers argued that without immigrants they would not have had enough workers, some going as far as recruiting directly from Lithuania or Ireland, offering accommodation alongside jobs. Without the work of immigrants, it is likely there would not have been enough workers in Scotland to support industry.

Question 7

Cafés

Answer 7

Italian immigrants set up cafés throughout Scotland, and they were very popular, by 1905 there were 336 in Glasgow alone. This provided services that many Scots were happy to pour money into and built up the leisure industry, an industry previously only the upper class could access.