Push and Pull Factors Flashcards
Push Factor:
Mechanisation
Different machines started replacing farmers as they were automated e/g. the self-binding reaper and potato digger.
In 1840 it took 22 days to tend to an acre of barley but by 1914 it went down to 12. Job security was only 6 to 12 months due to new machines and farmers were forced to move to the cities.
Push Factor:
The Highland Clearances
There was a peak of the eviction of the Highlander’s in the 1840’s and early 1850’s. Landlords evicted thousands of Highlanders using violence so that they can use that land to make more profit. They evicted the poorest ones as they couldn’t keep up paying the rent. Some would bring in large scale sheep farming and some would be nice enough to pay for their travel overseas.
Pull Factor:
Letters home from relatives and friends who had already emigrated describing the attractions of colonial life.
Encouraging Scots to move by telling them all the positive experiences or their new lives, describing their success/other successful Scots encouraged Scots to move abroad for a better quality life.
Push Factor:
In the Lowlands farm consolidation meant that there was less chance of land ownership.
Scots wanted to move abroad to places like New Zealand who were offering free/cheap land.
Push Factor:
Farm work - long hours. low pay, out in all weathers, few days off, if dull and monotonous.
People prefer stable pay, less repetitive work and more job security. Scots moved to find an industrial job inside.
Pull:
On moving to a town, a farmer agricultural labourer might earn 50% more in industrial work, domestic service offered better conditions than farm work.
Scots wanted to move near towns to earn more money. Less labour intensive jobs more attractive.
Push:
There was poor quality housing in the countryside. Young farm labourers may have lived in bothies - shared accomodation.
Black houses in the highlands had poor conditions e.g. one room shared with animals and family.
Pull Factor:
The Highlands and Islands Emigration Society raised money and helped poor crofters to leave Scotland for Australia and Canada.
Assisted passage schemes, emigration agents and propaganda posters would be raised to helps Scots emigrate abroad where they could better afford to rent or buy land.
Pull Factor:
There was the attraction of “big city” in employment in cities such as Glasgow - easier working life (factory work - indoors, set hours, possibly higher wages) Other jobs attractive e.g. railway porter/ticket clerk. For females - domestic service often better conditions than farm work. Shop work offered a half day holiday.
Offering better working and living conditions as well as more equal opportunities for men and women. Industry jobs that are not available in the highlands are more accessible.
Push Factor:
The collapse of the kelp burning industry as well as the steel and coal industries, in places such as Coatbridges, meant that people had no income.
Therefore Scots migrated to find jobs as there was a lack of financial security and lack of jobs.
