The impact of Scots emigrants on the empire Flashcards
Describe the economic impact of Scottish immigrants to Canada in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Scots who emigrated often had skills which were in demand in Canada, which meant they prospered, particularly farmers, granite workers, stonemasons, handloom weavers and seamen.
Scots had a major impact on the development of transport systems in Canada. For example Sanford Fleming, a Scot, was the main engineer on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and another Scot, George Stephen, at the Bank of Montreal helped finance it.
Scots also had influence in banking and business - Canada’s first bank, the Bank of Montreal was established in 1817 by wealthy Scots. In 1832 the Bank of Nova Scotia was established.
Scots were often relatively well educated which meant took on leadership roles in their new communities eg in education, politics and finance.
Many Scots had an entrepreneurial attitude and set up their own businesses which meant that there were role models of Scots who became wealthy.
Scots dominated the Hudson Bay Company which traded mainly in furs as people from Orkney were hired due to their skill and experience in trapping animals.
Many Highlanders that were forced off their land in the clearances, were successful in farming and brought new techniques such as the crop rotation, which meant more crops were grown
Scottish immigrants to Canada had a significant impact on culture and religion in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Explain why.
Many Scots moved to areas where there were existing Scottish communities, and family and friends who could support them so they were able to settle quickly (eg Nova Scotia in Canada).
Scots contributed to the religious development of Canada through the Church of Scotland. Many Protestant churches were established and they became the centre of their communities.
Scottish enthusiasm for education and reading resulted in the development of universities such as McGill University. In 1827, a Scot named James Strachan founded the University of Toronto.
The recreational life of Canada was also influenced by the Scots with their introduction of curling.
Bagpipe playing, whisky tasting and ceilidhs are popular in Canadian society and remain so today.
John A Macdonald emigrated from Scotland as a boy and rose to became Canada’s first Prime Minster, helping to shape Canada as it is known today.
Describe the impact of Scottish immigrants on Canada’s native societies in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Scots met the native peoples of Canada when they worked in the Hudson Bay Company. Many immigrants married native people and the children from these marriages were known as Metis people.
The relationship between native people, Scottish immigrants and Metis people was positive as they worked together to help trade flourish.
However, not all Scots were respectful and some forced the natives or Metis people off their land and viewed them as inferior. The Government took land from native people and many Scots were the beneficiaries.
Describe the economic impact of Scottish immigrants to Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Scots made a major impact in farming in Australia. John MacArthur introduced the first merino sheep.
A considerable number of Scots went to Australia to invest in mining. In the 1850s Scots James and Alexander Brown set up large coal mines in Newcastle, New South Wales. By 1914 their mines were producing 8% of all coal in the region.
Many Scots went for the Gold Rush and some gold camps had a distinctive Scottish character.
Scots excelled in shipping and trade. McIllwrath, McEacharn and Burns Phillips established a very successful shipping business.
John Buncle from Edinburgh established Melbourne Iron Works in 1852.
Many of the pioneers of the sugar industry were Scots and they contributed to the sugar boom of the 1880s in Queensland.
Robert McCracken from Girvan, Ayrshire, established a successful brewing industry in Melbourne in 1851. By 1884, his brewery was producing around 100,000 barrels per year.
Scottish immigrants to Australia had a significant impact on culture and religion in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Explain why.
The Church of Scotland played an important role in developing education in Australia. In Victoria there were a large number of Presbyterian secondary schools and Melbourne Academy was known as the ‘Scotch College’. By 1842 there were 42 parish schools in New South Wales established by Protestant Scots.
Two of Australia’s national songs, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘Advance Australia Fair’ were written by Scots.
Catherine Helen Spence was born in Melrose, Scotland, and went on to become Australia’s first female political candidate and first female journalist.
Describe the impact of Scottish immigrants on Australia’s native societies in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1788 Australia had an indigenous population of 300,000 with over 250 different languages spoken.
There were regular disputes between settlers and indigenous people over land.
Some Scots were responsible for brutal attacks on indigenous people. In 1857 the Hornet Bank Massacre 100 people were killed by the Scotsman William Fraser.
Violence towards the indigenous populations meant that many tribes were eventually wiped out and therefore their language and culture also disappeared.
Describe the economic impact of Scottish immigrants to New Zealand in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Scots had a major impact on banks and financial institutions in New Zealand.
Scots merchants in Dunedin contributed significantly to the commerce and prosperity of the Otago region.
Scots played a huge role in farming. Dr David Munro introduced the first sheep from Australia in 1842 and within 20 years he had 13,000 sheep on his farm.
Thomas Brydone helped found the New Zealand and Australia Land Company, which in 1882 sent the first consignment of frozen meat from New Zealand to London.
Scottish immigrants to New Zealand had a significant impact on culture and religion in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Explain why.
Scots influenced education in New Zealand, eg the 1872 Education Act Scotland formed the basis of the education system in New Zealand.
James MacAndrew from Aberdeen played a significant role in establishing schools in Otago and helped to found the University of Dunedin.
Scots Presbyterian settlers created the town of Dunedin, which became an important settlement in New Zealand.
Rev Thomas Burns developed the Otago province and it has a distinct Scottish feel and strong Scottish community. The capital is Dunedin, which means Edinburgh in Gaelic.
Many Caledonian societies and pipe bands still exist today.
It has been suggested that over 30% of the non-Maori population of New Zealand is of Scottish lineage and 2 of the most common surnames, Campbell and MacDonald, have Scottish roots.
Describe the impact of Scottish immigrants on New Zealand’s native societies in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Some Scots had a positive impact on native Maori people eg Donald Maclean from Tiree learned the native language and served as a native Minister from 1877-80.
In 1840 the British Government signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the Maoris – this aimed to protect Maori land but this treaty was often not adhered to.
There is some evidence of intermarriage between Scots and Maoris which promoted positive relations and helped both communities to integrate socially.
Some Scots had a negative impact as they were involved in taking land from the Maoris and carrying out forced evictions.
Scots immigrants were responsible for attacks and mistreatment of Maori people.
Describe the economic impact of Scottish immigrants to India in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
As part of the East India Company, Scots were involved in exporting jute, sugar and cotton. Many Scots made their fortune but much of the profit was sent home rather than being put back into the Indian economy.
Scots were notable in the development of tea plantations. Thomas Lipton was a Glasgow merchant whose tea company dominated the market.
James Ramsey, Marquis of Dalhousie was Governor-General of India between 1846 and 1856. He made a significant cultural, economic and educational impact in India by creating a massive railway network, building schools and developing irrigation projects to help with water supplies.
Scottish immigrants to India had a significant impact on culture and religion in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Explain why.
Governor General James Ramsey banned Suttee, the Hindu practice where a widow would throw herself on the funeral pyre of her dead husband. He also banned Thuggee which is when an organised group of killers attacks travellers. He punished those involved and helped to make India safer. Many Indians resented his involvement in banning such traditions.
Many Indian educational institutions such as elite schools owed much to Scottish emigrants and
Scottish missionaries played an important role in the development of education in India. For example, Reverend Alexander Duff from Perthshire was linked to the founding of the University of Calcutta in 1857 as well as the establishment of the first medical school in the country.
Scotsman Colin Campbell completed the first geographical survey of India and Alexander Kydd created the Botanic gardens in Calcutta.
Describe the impact of Scottish immigrants on India’s native societies in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
James Dalhousie used his time as Governor General of India (1848-56) to ban practices of suttee (human sacrifice) and thugee (ritual murder). He also pushed for changes in Indian attitudes to female education.
In 1857, Indian troops serving in the East India Company rebelled against their British officers. Scottish soldiers played an important role in crushing the Indian Mutiny. General Colin Campbell played a key role.
