PULL factors- emigration Flashcards
kinship
Family members and friends who had already emigrated often sent letters back home. These letters shared - and sometimes exaggerated - the benefits of emigrating such as better employment, prices, wages, and lifestyle.
This attracted Scots to emigrate as it gave them much greater confidence that they would be happier if they left Scotland than if they stayed.
jobs
Many new towns and cities were being established in Canada throughout the 1800s which created high demand for skilled workers, especially masons.
This attracted Scots to emigrate as the economic depression in Scotland left many Scots looking for work.
land ownership
Canada and Australia offered Scots the chance to buy cheap land to own their own farms. On some occasions they gave large areas of forest land to Scots for free with the agreement that they would develop it into productive land.
This attracted Scots to emigrate as having the opportunity to own your own land was highly unlikely for common farmers in Scotland and they wanted to escape from oppressive landowners.
revolution in transport
In the 1850s it took over 6 weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean but by 1914 the crossing could be done in less than one week.
This attracted Scots to emigrate as the process was much easier and became much cheaper during that time.
wages
A granite worker could earn the equivalent of a Scottish week’s wage in a day and a half by emigrating to North America.
This attracted Scots to emigrate to earn more money and live a more comfortable life.
discovery of gold
Gold was discovered in California in 1849 and in Australia in 1851.
This attracted Scots to migrate to use the mining skills that they already had to find their fortunes and become rich.
the british government
the government wanted to address over population and make sure that the Empire was populated and profitable. The Empire Settlement Act of 1922 gave E3 million per year to support the relocation of Scots (and other from Britain) across the Empire. Government officials often pressurised Scots - especially agricultural workers - into participation in schemes financed by the Act.
missionary work
the Church of Scotland established funds and encouraged many Scots to emigrate across the empire to spread their Presbyterian faith and the Good News of Jesus.
Many Scots with a deep religious faith felt pressurised by Church leaders to fulfil their Christian duties and spread the Word of God.
the highlands and islands emigration society
HIES sent 5,000 Scots to Australia from
1852-1857. The group was mostly funded by Scottish landowners to make the Highland Clearances easier and took advantage of the 1846 famine to pressure Scots into accepting their support.
