Impact of Migration and Empire on Scotland Flashcards
Immigrants impact on Society
Immigrants maintained and increased population.
Many married with Scots.
Lots of new religions in Scotland, used to be mostly Protestant but now has Catholic and Jewish communities.
Churches and Synagogues built
Increasing population put pressure on housing supply. Many immigrants poor so lived in slums and this led to greater levels of overcrowding and resentment from Scots
Negative Scottish views: Irish seen as drunkards and being violent.
Many immigrants were poor and brought diseases. Jewish accused for cholera outbreak in Glasgow.
Many involved in politics: Irish helped set up Labour and some immigrants helped establish parties like Liberals.
Immigrants impact on Economy
Irish worked on farms and in textiles. Many worked as naavies and built railways, roads, canals etc.
Lithuanians worked in steel mills and mines.
Italians and Jews mostly started their own businesses.
Immigrants viewed as ‘taking jobs from Scots’, Irish and Lithuanians used as strike breakers. Scots believe immigration lead to lower wages.
Scots worried of losing job to immigrants who are willing to work for a lower wage.
Irish and Lithuanians involved in trade unions, campaigning to improve conditions for all workers in Scotland.
Italians sold ice cream, fish and chips and set up cafes. They introduced new foods to the working classes.
Jews sold products such as tobacco and clothing.
As a result: more jobs in Scotland, which also hired native Scots.
New businesses allowed Scots more choice when spending money
cafes instead of pub (supported by many religious scots)
Jews tailored cheaper clothes for people
Immigrants impact on Culture
Italians sold fish and chips and set up cafes leading to cafe culture.
Cafe culture disliked by some Scots for opening on Sundays
But liked by some for offering alternative to pubs and interesting new foods
Jewish and Italians impacted fashion. Jews in tailoring and Italian hairdressers and barbers
Irish immigrants set up football teams
Irish and Italians brought names such as Capaldi or O’Connell to the country. While Lithuanians changed their names to assimilate better.
Churches and Synagogues built
Orange orders started by Protestant Irish
Some Catholic Immigrants opened Hibernian Clubs
Empire’s impact on Economy
More jobs in Scotland and abroad
New businesses set up
Bank investments
However, competition from Empire undermined Scottish businesses and eventually saw some companies collapse
Empire’s impact on People
Huge numbers of people moved to build new life elsewhere, reducing the country’s population, especially the Highlands.
Immigrants moved to Scotland, replacing those who left.
Irish increased countries Catholic population and founded football teams
Empire’s impact on Military
Many Scots joined in family tradition and joined army or navy and posted to defend empire.
Wealthy Scots saw senior opportunities for their sons. They became generals or majors, leading army in various parts of the Empire.
British East India Company had its own private army due to needing to protect their investments and many Scots were soldiers and officers here.
During WW1 and WW2, men from countries such as Canada, Australia and India fought on Britain’s side along Scots
Empire’s impact on Culture
Words and languages used in Scotland affected by empire.
Words ‘pyjamas’ and ‘bungalows’ taken from Indian language. ‘Budgie’ taken from Australian language.
Scottish emigrants spread Scottish culture abroad by celebrating Burns suppers and playing Scottish games, creating more global knowledge about life in Scotland
