Issue 2 - Experience of Immigrant Groups in Scotland

Question 1

Protestant Irish

Answer 1

The Protestant Irish immigrated to Scotland in the same time period as the Catholic population. however, they had distinctly different experiences

The main reason as to why this group was far more succesful in Scotland economically and culturally was because Scotland was a predominantly Protestant Country. This shared religion made every aspect of life easier for Protestant Immigrants

Many Irish Protestants began arriving in large numbers in the 1870s. Although doors opened because of their religion, Protestant Irish tended to be more skilled and educated than Irish Catholic Immigrants

Question 2

Economic Impact

Protestant Irish

Positive Impact

Answer 2

• Engineers in iron making firms e.g. Bairds of Gartsherrie
• Train drivers and signal workers e.g. for Glasgow Railways
• Navvies working to build rail networks e.g. Glasgow Subway
• Factories e.g. Cotton Mills, Broomward Cotton Works Glasgow. Jute Mills, Verdant Mill Dundee

These jobs helped the Scottish economy and infastructure as Scottish employers and businesses benefited from the work the Irish Protestants provided

Question 3

Social Experiences

Protestant Irish

Positive Experiences

Answer 3

Protestant immigrant groups integrated well into Scottish society. This is due to the shared religion between the Scottish Natives

• Many inter-married with Scottish Natives across Scotland in areas like Glasgow
• Some Irish famiies changed their names to intergrate e.g. O’Neil to McNeil
• Protestant Irish worked and were educated alongside Scottish Natives which helped the two groups intergrate e.g. going to the same public school e.g. Clydebank High School

Protestant Irish and Protestant Scots oftfen held a shared stereotypical view of Catholic Irish which resulted in all Protestants being on the same side.

Question 4

Social Experiences

Protestant Irish

Negative Experiences

Answer 4

Protestant immigration groups intergrated well into Scottish society. This means that overall their experience was positive but it didn’t mean life was easy
* Many Irish immigrants worked in low paying jobs which meant they were living in poverty
* Most Irish workers (40% by 1872) lived in single end homes which only had one room and shared toilet
* Some Scots disliked Irish Immigrants in general so some immigrants faced verbal and physical abuse from Scots

Question 5

Cultural Impact

Protestant Irish

Answer 5

Protestant Irish Immigrants shared many cultural norms with Scottish Natives such as life revolving around the church. However they did bring continue and set up some specific groups to keep their Protestant Irish identity
* They set up football clubs e.g. Rangers (Founded 1872 Old Firm - Sectarianism) and Hearts (Founded 1874)
* They also set up orange orders/lodges from 1800