Immigrants experiences in Scotland

Question 1

What were Catholic Irish like in regards to their wages?

Answer 1

Catholic Irish worked for less,so the Scots saw them as driving the wages down.

This meant that Catholic Irish weren’t able to make the same amount of money as the Scots even though they worked the same job which affected their lives as they were barely making enough to live off of.

Question 2

What was common between the Catholics and the protestants specifically in Glasgow?

Answer 2

Violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants in Glasgow were common.

This meant that it wasn’t safe for Catholics in the Protestant heavy cities as there was an extreme divide between the two groups.

Question 3

Catholic Irish - What did the Church of Scotland do against the Catholics in 1923

Answer 3

The Church of Scotland released anti-Catholic propaganda such as ‘The Menace of the Irish Race’ in 1923.

This meant that Catholics wouldn’t feel accepted within society as there were posters everywhere creating a false image of Catholics as they believed in something different than the Protestant Scots.

Question 4

How were the Catholic Irish seen as when they arrived in Scotland?

Answer 4

Catholic Irish were seen as diseased and poor as they were sometimes in very poor condition due to escaping the famine.

This meant that due to the horrible conditions they faced in Ireland, the Catholics didn’t fully heal from the damages which caused them to appear differently, which scared the Scots as it was unusual to them as they hadn’t seen anything like this before.

Question 5

Was it difficult for Catholic Irish to find jobs?

Answer 5

Catholic Irish were openly discriminated against in finding jobs.

This meant that it was hard for the Catholic Irish to find work and be able to keep staying in Scotland as no one was wanting to hire them which often left them without a home and food.

Question 6

What jobs would the Catholic Irish do?

Answer 6

The Catholic Irish worked the hardest, most dangerous manual labour jobs such as Navvies.

This meant that the Catholic Irish had to get the jobs that the Scots and the Protestants didn’t want as they weren’t as qualified as the others to have the less dangerous jobs.

Question 7

What did the Catholic Irish do in terms of sports?

Answer 7

Catholic Irish set up their own football teams such as Celtic.

This meant that the Catholic Irish weren’t allowed to be a part of groups and clubs as many people believed that they weren’t capable of winning or were good enough to be a part of their team.

Question 8

What was the education like for Catholic Irish and why was it like that?

Answer 8

The Catholic church set up schools for Catholic children so that they could learn safely.

This meant that it wasn’t safe for the children to be a part of the Protestant schools as they were bullied and called out for being different from the rest which left them feeling isolated within society.

Question 9

Assimilated poorly

Was there a language barrier between the Catholics and the Scots?

Answer 9

Catholic Irish generally didn’t speak English but would speak Gaelic or Irish instead.

This meant that it was hard for them to communicate with the Scots as there was a language barrier which stopped them from understanding each other and gaining the mutual respect that the Scots shared with the Protestants as they did not have that language barrier.

Question 10

Assimilated poorly

Did they have any likes that Scots saw as negatives in society?

Answer 10

Scots saw the Catholic Irish as lowering the moral standard of the country with drinking and poverty.

This meant that Scots blamed the Catholics for bringing down the overall image of Scotland as they didn’t act the same way that the Scots did which caused them to have a negative reputation within society as they acted on their bad habits, like drinking and smoking.

Question 11

Assimilated well

How was it for the Protestants to find employment?

Answer 11

Protestant Irish found it quite easy to find employment.

This meant that they were generally well-educated and were well trained which helped them find work and were appreciated by the Scots as they were improving the country economically through all the work that they did.

Question 12

Assimilated well

What was the relationship like between Scots and Protestant Irish?

Answer 12

Protestant Irish married Scots quite a lot.

This meant that Protestant Irish were easily accepted into Scotland and found it easier to connect with the people as they had so many similarities with each other.

Question 13

Assimilated well

What did the Scots have in common with the Protestant Irish?

Answer 13

Shared the same religion with Scottish people.

This meant that there wasn’t a religious divide when they came to Scotland as they shared the same beliefs as the Scots they would be living near, which helped them fit in more within the community.

Question 14

Assimilated well

How much of the immigrants were Protestant?

Answer 14

Scots didn’t see them as threatening as they only accounted for 25% of Irish immigrants

This meant that the Scots were more welcoming towards them as they weren’t taking over jobs or housing as there weren’t many of them moving to Scotland unlike the Catholic Irish were there was hundreds of them coming over.

Question 15

Extra

(protestant irish) What was the Protestant Irish’ education like?

Answer 15

Generally well-educated and well trained so took more skilled jobs in Scotland.

Question 16

How many Jews came to Scotland?

Answer 16

The number of Jewish immigrants was relatively small, their communities self-contained and many moved into suburb areas such as Pollokshield.

This meant that Scots generally accepted Jewish immigrants as they did not tend to worsen the housing and overcrowding situation in Scotland.

Question 17

What was the attitude of the young Jews like towards WWI?

Answer 17

Many young Jews were eager to answer the call to arms in their new country and volunteered to fight for Scotland during WWI

This meant that they were respected by Scots as they were prepared to risk their own life to defend Scotland, in which they were an immigrant, in warfare.

Question 18

What was the Jews place within politics?

Answer 18

Jewish immigrants were involved in Scottish politics, with the majority to Jewish immigrants supporting the Labour Party in the interwar years.

This meant that Jewish immigrants gained respect from Scots for their support of the working class and involvement in trade union activities.

Question 19

How did the Jews provide goods for the Scots?

Answer 19

Jewish immigrants became established in the tailoring trade by producing affordable, quality clothing and also set up other businesses which provided goods for Scots such as watchmakers and tobacconists.

This meant that Scots benefited from the jobs that Jews did and appreciated the positive effect they had on the Scottish economy.

Question 20

How did the Jews understand the English language?

Answer 20

Jewish Literary Societies were formed in Edinburgh (1888) and in Glasgow (1893), which sponsored sponsored English language classes.

This meant that Scots felt as though Jewish immigrants made an effort to assimilate into Scottish culture, by learning the language in an effort to fit in.

Question 21

What respected professions did Jews go into?

Answer 21

Many Jewish immigrants were prominent in respected professions like medicine.

This meant that Scots respected the work done by Jewish immigrants and viewed them as educated, intelligent and hardworking members of Scottish society.

Question 22

Did many Jews want to stay in Scotland?

Answer 22

A large number of Jews chose not to reside in Scotland for long and simply passed through on their way to America.

This meant that Scots did not feel threatened by the number of Jewish immigrating to Scotland as they did not see them as permanent members of the Scottish community.

Question 23

What were Jews labelled as in WWI?

Answer 23

Jewish citizens in Scotland had to register for alien status during WWI.

This meant that the Jews weren’t fully trusted and the Scots didn’t know enough about the Jews to understand which side of the war they would be on.

Question 24

Where were Jews refused memberships to?

Answer 24

Many Scottish social and bowling clubs refused Jewish citizens entry or membership.

This meant that the Jewish people were isolated from the Scots as they wanted to separate themselves from the Jews that had joined their community.

Question 25

In 1930, who tried to stir up trouble for the Jews?

Answer 25

Some groups such as the British Union Fascists, who one of the leaders was Scottish, made serious attempts in 1930 to stir up anti Jewish feelings in Scotland.

This meant that some Scots didn’t want the Jews in their country and made many different claims and promises to other Scots who felt the same way as them to try and force the Jewish people to move away from Scotland.

Question 26

How did the newspapers refer to the Jews when writing about them?

Answer 26

Newspapers such as the Daily Record and Mail reported Jews negatively. They described Jews as an ‘alien danger: immigrants infected with loathsome disease’.

This meant that the newspaper would publicly humiliate the Jews in the articles that they published in hopes of further isolating the Jews and making them leave Scotland.

Question 27

Where did the Jews have to live, since they didn’t have much money?

Answer 27

Many of the early Jewish immigrants were poor and so could only afford housing in areas of Glasgow like the gorbals where poor sanctification and overcrowding was already and issue

This meant that Jewish people weren’t given the best opportunities within Scotland in comparison to the Scots as they didn’t receive the same treatment as the Scots did because the Scots didn’t believe that the Jews deserved rewards over the Scots that have lived there their whole life.

Question 28

How was the Jews faith received within Scotland?

Answer 28

Jewish immigrants continued to openly practise their Jewish faith in Scotland, which was a predominantly protestant country.

This meant that Jews were further isolated as they didn’t accept Scottish culture and religion fully which caused them to be seen differently which then in turn were treated differently as they didn’t share the same religious views.

Question 29

What work did the Jews often agree to?

Answer 29

Jewish immigrants often tended to agree to work for low wages, this added to the fear that there may be an overall cut in wages for workers

This meant that Scots believed that the Jews were lowering the pay rate as they were taking all of the lower wage jobs as they were desperate for work and were scared of retaliation from the Scots.

Question 30

What repuatation did some Jewish shop owners gain?

Answer 30

Some Jewish business owners often gained a reputation as harsh ‘masters’, offering poor working conditions

This meant that they gained a negative reputation within Scotland as they weren’t portrayed positively within their community due to their disadvantage coming into Scotland and the difference the two groups of people have - the Scots and the Jews.

Question 31

What shops did Italians open when they came into Scotland?

Answer 31

Many Italian immigrants opened up fish and chip shops.

This meant that Scots liked Italians as they provided cheap, tasty and easy food.

Question 32

Did Italians change their name to suit when in Scotland?

Answer 32

Some second-generation Italians changed their names to sound more Scottish.

This meant that Italians made an effort to fit in with Scots which was appreciated by Scots.

Question 33

What was set up to provide Italians with business loan?

Answer 33

In 1891 the Societa di Mutto Soccorso was set up by Italian immigrants to provide business loans for Italians.

This meant that Scots viewed Italians as less of a drain on the Poor Law as they generally looked after each other without help from Scots.

Question 34

Did Italians provide barbers and hairdressing business when they moved into Scotland?

Answer 34

Many Italians opened barber shops and hairdressers in Scotland.

This meant that Scots liked Italians as they provided useful services for the Scots.

Question 35

Who did the Italians employ in their businesses?

Answer 35

Many Italians employed their own families in their businesses.

This meant that Italians were seen as less of a negative influence as they were capable of helping each other to establish profitable businesses.

Question 36

Were many Italians self-employed?

Answer 36

Many Italians were self-employed and ran small businesses.

This meant that Scots saw Italians as less of a threat in the labour market as they rarely competed for the same jobs.

Question 37

When were Italian cafes open until?

Answer 37

Some Italian cafes and restaurants were open late at night.

This meant that Scots liked that Italians offered a sober alternative to pubs and clubs for young people to socialise.

Question 38

What language was Italian children encouraged to speak?

Answer 38

Many Italian families encouraged their children to learn English and only spoke Italian in the home.

This meant that Italians were able to mix socially with Scots more easily and form good relationships from a young age.

Question 39

What were Italians seen as?

Answer 39

Italians were seen as hard-working.

This meant that Scots respected Italians and saw them as contributing to Scotland’s economy.

Question 40

How did the Scots feel about the Italian cafes staying open until late?

Answer 40

The Scots disliked how late the Italians shops were as they belived that it encouraged drunken behaviour in young people.

This tells us that the Scots weren’t trusting of the way the Italians were running their business as they thought it was creating a bad influence over the young people as having the cafe open till late was encouraging drinking and reckless behaviour at night.

Question 41

How did the Italians high work ethic affect their relationships with the Scots?

Answer 41

Due to their high work ethic, many Italians simply didn’t have time to socialise with Scots which caused Scots to believe that the Italians didn’t want to get to know them.

This meant that there was still a divide between the two groups as the Scots didn’t believe that the Italians were wanting to be a part of the community and were just there for work and money, which made the Italians more isolated within Scotland and their community.

Question 42

Did Italians still speak their original language?

Answer 42

Many Italians spoke good English, but some kept on the traditions of their homeland and continued to speak Italian, in and out of the home.

This meant that the Scots were cautious of the Italians as they continued to speak in a language that the Scots didn’t understand which made them believe that the Italians weren’t fully accepting of the Scottish culture.

Question 43

How did Italians staying close together affect their image in the eyes of the Scots?

Answer 43

Many Italians were viewed with suspicion by Scots as they largely kept to themselves and only ever really mixed in their own Italian communities.

This tells us that the Scots didn’t trust the Italians as they weren’t as welcoming as the Scots were to them when they arrived which caused Scots to be wary of the Italians as they didn’t know what the Italians were thinking.

Question 44

Were Lithuanian immigrants involved in strikes?

Answer 44

Lithuanians became involved in the trade union movement and joined in strikes with Scottish workers.

This meant that the Scots could see how much the Lituanians were appreciative of what Scots had done for them and would help support them like how the Scots supported them when they first moved to Scotland, which caused Scots to have more respect for them as they wanted equal pay for both Lituanians and Scots.

Question 45

What happened after Lithuanians stopped working in the mines?

Answer 45

Lithuanians began to set up their own businesses and stopped working in the mines.

This meant that there were more job opportunities available for Scots as new jobs arose with the new business and also the work that the Lithuanians left behind.

Question 46

Where did Lithuanians learn english?

Answer 46

Lithuanian children went to Scottish schools and learned to speak English.

This meant that they were accepting of Scottish culture and were open to the idea of being a part of their community which caused the Scots to be more welcoming as they could see all the effort the Lithuanians were putting in.

Question 47

Which Churches looked after the Lithuanian immigrants?

Answer 47

The Catholic Church looked after Lithuanian immigrants.

This meant that the immigrants were looked after and were offered places in society to express their religion with those who share them the same which helped Scots become more aware of other cultures and traditions from other people.

Question 48

Were Lithuanians able to receive higher education?

Answer 48

Second-generation Lithuanians began to go to university and gain professional qualifications.

This meant that Scots could see the potential that many Lithuanians had and were able to benefit from the work that they would achieve, like when they opened a new business or discovered a new thing, which would all positively impact Scotland as a whole.

Question 49

Was there many Lithuanians immigrants coming into Scotland?

Answer 49

Lithuanians were relatively small in number so they didn’t attract nearly as much negative attention as other groups such as the Catholic Irish.

This meant that there weren’t many Lithuanians that moved into Scotland which pleased the Scots as there wasn’t much competition between the two groups for work, which caused them to be more welcoming towards the Lituanians.

Question 50

Did Lithuanians infer with the strikes in the coal mines?

Answer 50

They were seen as ‘strike-breakers’ by Scots as they would be employed during the Scots’ striking activities.

This meant that the Scots weren’t accepting of the Lithuanians as they didn’t support the Scots and decided to steal their work whilst they were on strike.

Question 51

Who campaigned against the Lithuanians?

Answer 51

Some Scots politicians campaigned against Lithuanians staying in Scotland permanently.

This meant the Lithuanians weren’t welcomed into Scotland and had people in power wanting to get rid of them.

Question 52

Why did many Lithuanians move to Scotland?

Answer 52

Most Lithuanians that came to live in Scotland were escaping extreme poverty.

This meant that the Scots believed that the Lithuanians were abusing their right to be in Scotland as they were taking money by working jobs and were getting housing that could have been given to a Scot instead.

Question 53

Relating to work, why did Scots dislike the Lithuanians?

Answer 53

Many Scots disliked Lithuanians as there were prepared to work for less pay than the Scots.

This meant that the Scots saw them as bringing down the economy as they were willing to take the lower income jobs and work for less.

Question 54

What religion did the Lithanians believe in?

Answer 54

They were devoutly Catholic in a Protestant land.

This meant that the Scots didn’t accept them into their community as they didn’t share the same faith and didn’t share the same values as the Protestants did.

Question 55

What would Lithuanians be called by Scots?

Answer 55

Lithuanians were routinely referred to as “Poles” or “Russians”.

This meant that the Scots didn’t accept the Lithuanians within their community and wouldn’t refer to them as Lithuanians or even Scottish Lithuanians as they saw only the Empire that they came from and the difference in where they are originally from.

Question 56

Why did Lithuanians change their name?

Answer 56

Lithuanian names that were difficult to pronounce were changed by Scottish government officials without permission.

This meant that the Scots aren’t accepting of the Lithuaninan culture and had forced the Lithuanians to leave behind their lithuanians roots and change their name as the Scots didn’t feel like learning how to pronounce their names.

Question 57

How long did Lithaunians celebrations and weddings last for?

Answer 57

Lithuanian weddings and celebrations lasted several days.

This meant that the Scots saw them as drunks as well as lazy as their celebrations lasted several days and put a hold on their work. Their way of celebrating was different to Scots which added to the separation between the two cultures.

Question 58

What did Lithuanians have to register as during WWI?

Answer 58

Lithanians were made to register as aliens during WWI.

This meant that the Scots still hadn’t accepted them within their community which caused them to be further isolated and were labelled by the Scots as aliens as they weren’t accepted as Scots.

Question 59

What were Lithuanians considered to be by the Scots?

Answer 59

The Lithuanians were considered Russians to the British government, and as such, were liable for service in the Russian army and forced to join it rather than the British army.

This meant that the Scots still didn’t accept the Lithuanians as part of their country so the Lithuanians who were to fight had to fight under the name of a different country and King.

Question 60

After WWI, what happened to many of the Lithuanians living in Scotland?

Answer 60

After WWI many Lithuanians were forced to leave Scotland as the British government withdrew financial support for Lithunanian women and children.

This meant that the Scots didn’t want to waste any more of Scotland’s money on the Lithuanians as they still didn’t see them as a part of their community which forced the Lithuanians to leave Scotland and find support and shelter elsewhere.

Question 61

Why did the Scots become suspicious of the Lithuanians?

Answer 61

The British people and government started to become suspicious that Lithianans supported Communism.

This meant that Lithuanians were accused of being communists which caused them to be isolated and avoided by Scots as communism wasn’t accepted or welcomed within Scotland.

Question 62

Were Scottish Lithuanians able to be a part of Scottish social clubs?

Answer 62

Scotland Lithuanaians mixed only at work, as in all other spheres were separate and distinct as they were denied entry to Scottish social clubs.

This tells us that Scots weren’t allowing the Lithuanians into their social clubs and would deny their access to events and parties, so they would only have to see the Lithuanians at work.