Lithuanians

Question 1

discrimination

Answer 1

Lithuanians were often called ‘Poles’ and many, especially second-generation Lithuanians, felt forced to change their names to more British sounding ones.

This meant that they had a negative experience in Scotland as they faced discrimination from Scots.

Question 2

recruitment

Answer 2

Lithuanians were recruited in Lithuania by major iron and steel companies such as Bairds and Dixons to come to Scotland and dig for coal. Many Lithuanians had misunderstood, and thought that they would be working in agriculture.

This meant they had a negative experience in Scotland as they faced terrible and dangerous working conditions down the coal mines.

Question 3

strong communities

Answer 3

Lithuanians 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.

This meant that they had a positive experience in Scotland as they kept up their strong Lithuanian community bonds.

Question 4

cultural expansion

Answer 4

The Lithuanian-born community in Scotland often maintained their colourful national dress and celebrations. They continued to foster their culture through art, music, and literature from within Scotland. This culminated in the Lithuanian Festival in Glasgow in 1905.

They therefore (initially) experienced an expansion of their own Lithuanian
culture.

Question 5

trade unionism

Answer 5

Lithuanian workers eventually became critical members of the Scottish Trade Union movement of the early 1900s and some became political activists. As a result, later generations experienced better working conditions and pay.

This meant they had a positive experience in Scotland as their relations with Scots within the workplace improved.

Question 6

deportation and poverty

Answer 6

The British and Russian governments came to an agreement which meant that Lithuanian men were to be sent to Russia for military service during the later stages of WWl. 200 families in Bellshill alone were left without their main earner.

This meant they had a negative experience in Scotland as some were deported and their families left behind fell into poverty.

Question 7

stereotyping

Answer 7

Some Scots claimed Lithuanians were immoral because of their celebrations and festivals which sometimes lasted for many days and involved lots of alcohol. Scottish newspapers also claimed that Jewish Lithuanians were unclean and carried diseases.

This meant they had a negative experience in Scotland because negative and untrue stereotypes were spread which created a negative perception about the Lithuanian community.

Question 8

strike-breaking

Answer 8

Lithuanian workers were known as strike-breakers as some were willing to step into the roles of Scots when they went on strike over pay or conditions. This was particularly true in the Ayrshire Coalfields.

This led to them having a negative experience in Scotland because Scots came to resent them and regarded them as a cause of their own
poverty.