PUSH factors- emigration

Question 1

1. highland/lowland clearances
   (emigration push)

Answer 1

Crofters were evicted from their homes as it became more profitable for landlords to keep sheep on the land.

This pushed Scots to emigrate as some preferred to leave Scotland entirely to continue their rural life rather than move to an urban area of Scotland, as this felt more familiar to them.

Question 2

2. criminal conviction
   (emigration push)

Answer 2

7,600 Scots were sent to Australia as prisoners by 1847, and many stayed in Australia once they were released.

This forced Scots to emigrate from Scotland as many prisoners could not afford to come home while others wanted to start a new life away from the issues they had experienced in Scotland which led them to crime.

Question 3

3. missionary work
   (emigration push)

Answer 3

Some Scots became missionaries to spread Christianity to those living in the British Empire.

This forced Scots to emigrate as some were pressurised by their churches and families into becoming missionaries, through fear of being disowned.

Question 4

4. religious persecution
   (emigration push)

Answer 4

There was a small Catholic minority in Scotland in the 19th century and some were persecuted for their religion.

This led some Catholics to emigrate to countries where they could practice their religion freely.

Question 5

5. mechanisation
   (emigration push)

Answer 5

22 workdays were required to farm one acre of land in 1840, but by 1914 it took just 12 days done by newly invented machinery, meaning less workers were needed on farms.

This forced Scots to emigrate as some people preferred to leave Scotland entirely to continue their farming way of life and utilise their skills, rather than move to an urban area of Scotland.

Question 6

6. lowland housing
   (emigration push)

Answer 6

The fast growth of population in Scotland’s cities led to overcrowding and dreadful living conditions. Families lived in houses with one room, no indoor toilet or windows.

This forced Scots to emigrate to find a home where they could have more space and be less at risk of catching deadly diseases.

Question 7

7. working conditions
   (emigration push)

Answer 7

The industrial revolution led to rapid urbanisation and industralisation in Scotland. This led to problems including low wages, long hours, dangerous working conditions and child labour.

These poor working conditions led many Scots emigrating to seek a better life elsewhere.

Question 8

8. lack of land
   (emigration push)

Answer 8

It was difficult for Scots to own the land they worked on due to high prices and rapid population growth, which put a strain on the amount of land available

This pushed Scots to emigrate as they tried to find a home with available land, where they could continue their rural way of life and utilise their farming skills.

Question 9

9. overpopulation and living standards
   (emigration push)

Answer 9

Scotland’s industrial cities, especially Glasgow, were very overcrowded with Scots living in poor quality tenement housing which contributed to the rapid spread of disease.

This pushed Scots to emigrate to escape these poor conditions and find better quality housing with more adequate room to raise a family.

Question 10

10. assisted passages
    (emigration push)

Answer 10

Charities, governments, and the Church of Scotland, all provided funds for transport costs to certain groups of Scots who wanted to emigrate.

This pushed Scots to emigrate as they wanted to seize the opportunity available to them while they could