Issue 2 - Experience of Immigrant Groups in Scotland Flashcards
Italian Immigrants
Italian Immigrants
- Between 1891 and 1901, 25% of immigrants to Scotland were Italian.
- Many people fled itality due to high levels of poverty and because of famine.
- By 1914, there were 4,500 Italian immigrants in Scotland
- Some targeted Scotland as their final destination whereas others were using it as a stop on the way to the USA
- ‘Little Italy’ neighbourhoods popped up in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
Economic Impact
Italian Immigrants
Positive Impact
- Carts on the streets selling ice cream and fish and chips e.g. Crolla Family Ice Cream Cart
- Opened Ice Cream Parlours e.g. Nardinis in Largs
- Opened Chip Shops and went out in chip wagons e.g. Corvi’s in West Lothian
- Set up cafes e.g. University Cafe Glagow 1918 and Cardosi Cafe Thurso 1903
- There were 89 cafes in Glasgow and by 1905 there were 336
- Hairdressers e.g. The College of Italian Hairdressers 1928
These jobs helped the Scottish Economy greatly as they opened a new market for Scottish people to spend their money and leisure time. Italian families contributed to the growing leisure industry. In 1903 there were 89 cafés in Glasgow, growing to 336 by 1905.
Social Experiences
Italian Immigrants
Positive Experiences
Most Scots liked Italian Immigrants and particurally enjoyed the new businesses e.g. Nardinis in largs
It gave Scots new places to go to to Socialise e.g. University Cafe Glasgow
Scots also enjoyed all of the new foods and drink available such as new Coffee from the Kings Cafe in Glasgow 1889
Many second generation Italians also altered or adapted their names to sound more Scottish ‘Joe’ instead of ‘Giuseppe’
These new industries held their own place in the economy meaning both groups could live alongside eachother. No competition meant no need for dislike
Some individual Italian immigrants and families became very wealthy through owning businesses
Italian children attended Scottish schools e.g. Scotstoun Primary School in Glasgow
Leopoldo Guiliano became the city’s most wealthy italian owning no less than 60 cafes and shops
Italian immigrants set up clubs and socities to promote Italian culture e.g. Casa D’Italia which offered Italian lessons for children and offered business loans.
Social Experiences
Italian Immigrants
Negative Experiences
Italian Immigrants were Catholic which resulted in some prejudice and mistreatment of Catholic Italians e.g. Name calling ‘Hokey Pokey’ men.
Most italians worked extremley long hours e.g. in the Kings Cafe meaning they did not intergrate with Scottish communities
