Migration and Empire 1830-1939 Chapter 2 Flashcards
What were literacy and education levels like for Irish Catholic immigrants?
Most of them were uneducated and illiterate
In what areas did Irish Catholic immigrants settle?
Areas where ships disembark. 29% in Glasgow, some in Dundee and in Edinburgh
By 1851 what percentage of the Scottish population were Irish Catholic?
7.2%
What work did Irish Catholic immigrants do?
Low skilled manual jobs like coal mining, textiles, navvies on railways and canals
Did Irish Catholic immigrants face religious discrimination?
Yes. As Scotland is a mostly Protestant country.
What caused heightened religious tension between Irish Catholics and Scots?
Scots feared Irish Catholics were bringing down wages due to them being so keen to work
When was there evidence of cooperation in the workplace between Irish Catholics and Scots? What happened?
1870s: forming trade unions and going on strike together
What were the living conditions for Irish Catholic immigrants like?
Lived in slums. Terrible condition, poor sanitation, overcrowding, spread of diseases such as cholera and typhus
Where did distinct Irish Catholic communities form?
Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow
How did Irish Catholic immigrants choose to spend their money? How did Scots react to this?
Gambling. Scots looked down on them and blamed them for their own economic situation. Thought of them as insular, drunk, dirty and disease ridden
How did the stereotypes of Catholic Irish immigrants affect the relationships between them and native Scots?
Harmed relations between Scots and Catholic Irish
How did the Catholic church impact the Irish Catholic community?
Helped set up clubs, football teams, and schools.
Why was it difficult for Irish Catholic immigrants to assimilate into Scottish society?
High levels of intermarriage- 80% in 1851 in Greenock
Where did Irish Catholic immigrants experience violence? Why and what did they experience?
Certain parts of Glasgow were out of bounds depending on what religion you were. Physical and verbal attacks
How was assimilation into Scottish society for Protestant Irish compared to Catholic Irish?
Much easier as they shared the same religion as native Scots.
What jobs did Protestant Irish immigrants have and why?
Engineers in iron making firms such as Bairds of Gartsherrie, train drivers and signal workers. They were given these jobs because of their religion and they were skilled and educated.
What helped Protestant Irish immigrants maintain a distinct identity?
Orange orders. Developed in 1800s which were marches celebrating the distinct identity of Protestant Irish.
What were Orange Lodges used for?
Place where Protestant Irish people could meet. Wedding and funeral venue.
What is an example of an attack on Protestant Irish people after an Orange march?
1857: 300 orange men attacked by Catholics in Airdrie returning from an orange march
Why did Jews immigrate to Scotland?
Escaping religious and economic persecution in Russia. Some used Scotland as a stop before USA
Where did Jews settle in Scotland?
Edinburgh and Dundee, and mostly Glasgow
Could Jewish immigrants speak English?
No, they spoke Yiddish
What jobs did Jewish immigrants do?
Mostly self-employed. Opened butchers and bakeries. Successful in tailor trade and cigarette industry.
Did Jewish immigrants ever experience discrimination against their faith?
They did experience some anti-semitism but it was very rarely violent
By the 20th century, what professions were Jewish immigrants making a large impact on?
Legal and medical professions
How well did Jewish immigrants settle into Scotland?
Integrated well into Scottish life. Maintained identity and strong communities.
Why did Lithuanians immigrate to Scotland?
Escaping persecution in Russia, poverty, using Scotland as a stop before USA
Were Lithuanians initially welcomed? Why?
No, because Scots believed they were brought to break strikes and drive down wages
What did Lithuanians do to ensure their loyalty in the workplace? When did this happen?
1912: Lithuanians took part in a national strike, joined trade unions
What helped Lithuanians build relations with Scots?
Became involved in left wing politics
Did Lithuanian immigrants face discrimination against their faith?
Yes. The majority of them were Catholics and faced discrimination from Protestant Scots
What stereotype was established about Lithuanians by Scots? What made them think this?
Lacking moral fibre and indulged in too much heavy drinking. This stemmed from the misunderstanding about traditional celebrations with lasted days
How did Lithuanians show a strong sense of national pride and togetherness in the community?
Published newspapers in their language, held dances, concerts and attended church
What change did Lithuanian immigrants make in the 20th century to integrate more firmly into Scottish society?
Changed their last names to sound more Scottish (‘Black’ or ‘Smith’)
What event had the biggest impact on the Lithuanian community?
The Great War: 1914-18. Many men left t fight for Russia and few returned
What state was the Lithuanian community in by the beginning of WWII
The previously distinct and vibrant community was diminished
Why did the Italians immigrate to Scotland?
To escape poverty and famine, stop off point before USA
Where did Italian immigrants settle?
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
In what trade did Italians make the biggest impact?
Catering trade. Ice cream parlours (Lucas), and fish and chip shops
What was the stereotype associated with Italian businesses?
Scots believed that they were immoral and that they encouraged young people to meet up and misbehave
Why did Scots think that the existence of some Italian businesses were unacceptable?
They opened on Sundays
Other than catering, what other business was Italian immigrants involved in?
Hairdressing
What did Italians establish in 1928?
College of Italian Hairdressers in Glasgow
Why did it take a long time for Italians to form relations with Scots?
Didn’t socialise a lot with Scots as they worked long hours
Was intermarriage expected in the Italian community?
Yes
Did Italians lose their identity immigrating into a new country?
No. They maintained a distinct identity, tradition, language and family ties.
