lithuanian immigrants Flashcards
experiences
discrimination
they were often called ‘Poles’ and faced discrimination from scots. many, especially second-gen, felt forced to change their names to more ordinary british ones
experiences
jobs/wages
they were pursued by the major iron & steel companies such as bairds and dixons. they were recruited to come dig coal in company owned coal mines. they were often willing to work for less money and even lower wages. resulting in poor living conditions
experiences
strong communities
they tended to settle close to each other in lanarkshire, especially in bellshill. the scottish lithuanian social club is based in bellshill and the community worked to build their own catholic parish.
experiences
cultural expansion
the lithuanian-born community in scotland often maintained their colourful national dress and celebrations. they continued to foster their culture through art & literature from within scotland. this culminated in the lithuanian festival, glasgow 1905.
experiences
trade unionism
they became critical members of the scottish trade union movement of the early 1900s and some became working-class politcal activists. as a result later generations experienced better working conditions and pay.
experiences
deportation and poverty
the brit and russian govs came to an agreement which meant lithuanian-born men had to go to russia for military services during late ww1. some therefore experienced deportation while the families they left behind fell into poverty. 200 families in bellshill were alone w/o their main earner.
scots reactions
discrimination
scots reacted very poorly to lithuanians and often called them ‘Poles’. it was common for scots to verbally abuse lituanians in the workplace & at school.
scots reactions
stereotyping
many scots claimed that lithuanians were immoral because of their celebrations which often lasted for many days & included lots of alcohol. scottish newspapers claimed that jewish lithuanians were unclean & diseased.
scots reactions
strike-breaking
lithuanian workers were known as strike-breakers as some were willing to takes scots place when they went on strike. led to scots resenting them and seeing them as a cause of their own poverty and living conditions.
scots reactions
dangerous
scots blamed them for accidents in the mines because very few initial immigrants spoke english. some were willing to do unsafe tasks just so they could keep their jobs.
scots reactions
trade unions
once they joined trade union movement, relations in the work place and with working class scots began to improve.
assimilation
language
the church helped to promote the use of the lithuanian language through classes and the production of their own newspaper iseiviu Draugus (Immigrants Friend)
assimilation
insular
because of the discrimination they faced, lithuanians rarely mixed with scots socially. they maintained distinct communities, mostly marrying within that community and continuing to live life as part of it
assimilation
culture
the strength of lithuanian culture, especially in traditional natural dress and music, made the community seem ‘other’ to many scots who didnt engage with a culture different to their own
