Migration and Empire Quick Notes

Question 1

Scots Migration - Highlands PUSH Factors

Answer 1

• Harsh climate meant a short growing season
• 1840s potato blight
• Mechanisation of farming
• New methods of transport made it easier
• Working hours were very long
• It was tough manual labour
• Highland clearances

Question 2

Scots Migration - Lowlands PULL Factors

Answer 2

• Jobs were seen as easier
• Had time for leisure activities, the theatre, restaurants, etc.
• For young people, more potential partners
• Better working conditions and wages

Question 3

Experiences of immigrants in Scotland - Irish Catholics

Answer 3

• Often worked in factories, some worked in shipyards but this was mostly prevented by sectarianism
• Mostly on Scotland’s west coast (Glasgow, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire) to be closest to Ireland
• Many had little education which meant they had to take low paying jobs, created resentment among Scots
• Most were extremely poor and lived in areas with the poorest quality housing (often didn’t have running water)
• The 1800s saw more Catholic churches opening in Scotland
• Generally NOT well received by Scots, due to their poverty and religious disagreement
• They were seen as against the monarchy and a threat to the Scottish way of life

Question 4

Experiences of immigrants in Scotland - Irish Protestants

Answer 4

• Only made up a quarter of Irish immigrants
• Often moved to areas with an existing Protestant Irish population, like Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Glasgow
• Worked in similar jobs as Catholic Irish immigrants but faced less hostility in doing so
• They were in high demand as many companies denied Catholic Irish immigrants
• Had much less difficulty practicing their religion
• Protestant churches already existed all around Scotland
• Many Protestant Irish immigrants joined the Orange Order

Question 5

Experiences of immigrants in Scotland - Jews

Answer 5

• Came in pretty small numbers
• Majority of them settled in Glasgow, specifically in the Gorbals
• Initially many worked in the tailoring industry
• Some were peddlers, some made tobacco, cigarette makers
• Over time the Jewish community gained more wealth and more were put through higher education, so more became successful (doctors, lawyers)
• Initially difficult to practice their faith, there were a lack of synagogues and rabbis.
• As they were in small numbers, they received less hostility
• Many argue that anti-Catholic views shielded them from anti-Semitism, but people didn’t like them operating their businesses on Sunday

Question 6

Experiences of immigrants in Scotland - Italians

Answer 6

• Tended to live where there were already Italians (Glasgow)
• Mostly opened their own businesses
• Opened shops, cafés and restaurants - sold fish n chips, ice cream
• College of Italian Hairdressers opened in 1928 in Glasgow
• Most Irish immigrants were Catholic
• Their low numbers limited the hostility they faced
• They were not accused of stealing jobs as they opened their own businesses
• Many Scots enjoyed Irish businesses as they offered a clean alternative to the pub
• Many disapproved as they operated on a Sunday
• They faced criticism as they did not integrate very well, they still spoke Italian

Question 7

Experiences of Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians

Answer 7

• Many were attracted to Belshill
• Jewish Lithuanians often moved to Glasgow
• Most were Catholic and moved to areas with heavy industry like mines and metal works
• Many Lithuanians moved to escape Russification, so it was important to maintain their identity in Scotland
• Continued to speak their native language and printed Lithuanian newspapers
• Faced harsh criticism from Scots - many changed their names to avoid it, sometimes against their will
• Many were employed as strike breakers, and were seen by Scots as depressing wages
• However they soon came to sympathise with the needs of the Scottish worker and became active in Trade Unions and strikes

Question 8

Impact of Scots on the Empire - Australia

Answer 8

• Australia’s first Prime Minister was Scottish
• Scots were notoriously hard workers, so it was easy to find work
• Scots spread the Presbyterian Church across Australia
• There were extreme tensions between immigrant Scots and Australia’s native peoples (the Scots called them aborigines, though they didn’t call themselves that)
• They battled for land

Question 9

Impact of Scots on the Empire - Canada

Answer 9

• Scots dominated government, fur trade, education and banking
• New farming techniques brought from Scotland to Canada
• National sport of curling brought to Canada by Scots
• Led to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad
• Built numerous churches across Canada

Question 10

Impact of Scots on the Empire - India

Answer 10

• Responsibility for development of tea plantations
• Involved in trading in India, the East India Company
• Implemented Scottish banking system
• Developed universities and higher education

Question 11

Impact of the Empire on Scotland

Answer 11

• Descendants of migrants became important political leaders, e.g James Connolly and John Wheatley
• Overcrowding became a massive problem - housing crisis in Glasgow lasted until the 60’s
• Migrant Irish forged links with Scots in trade unions, such as the NLU (National Labourers Union)
• Migrant groups benefitted Scots through their businesses - e.g shops, tailors
• Development of Catholic education as well as sporting clubs (Celtic)
• Jews benefitted Scotland’s economy, some Jewish migrants later became millionaires (Abraham Goldberg)
• The process of the industrial revolution would have been impeded but for the labour power of Irish immigrants
• Scotland had an economic burden thrown on it by Irish immigrants
• Italian businesses were a huge attraction from young people looking for a place to meet, supported by temperance groups