Experience of Lithuanian Immigrants

Question 1

Why did Lithuanians leave their home country?

Answer 1

• Russia had countries under their control (including Lithuania and forced them to follow their customs such as religious beliefs)
• They also fled to avoid being forced into the Russian Army
• There was also religious discriminations as Catholic Lithuanians were oppressed by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Question 2

What were the living conditions and jobs like for Lithuanians?

Answer 2

• Jewish lithuanians mostly moved to Glasgow but Catholic Lithuanians lived in other areas.
• Moved to mine work in West Lothian and Ayrshire or in the smelting/steel industry
• Around 5000-6000 lived in Bellshill in Lanarkshire given it the name “Little Lithuania”

Question 3

List the 5 ways that Lithuanians were treated by Scots.

Answer 3

• Many Lithuanians worked in mines, so Scots were angry as Lithuanians took their job so Trade Unions launched campaigns against immigrant workers, called them “an evil” in Scottish society.
• Lithuanians were sometimes liked as they became involved in campaigns to improve workplace conditions.
• Lithuanians were seen as adding to the problem of overcrowding, drunk, dirty or diseased.
• Many were Catholic, so Protestant Scots disliked when they held religious services, that were spoken in Lithuanian.
• After WW1, British government withdrew financial support for Lithuanians forcing women and children to go home as they didn’t want to pay the financial cost of supporting Lithuanians.

Question 4

What are the main reasons for the way Lithuanians were treated by Scots?

Answer 4

• Taking peoples Jobs
• Campaigns and strikes
• Causing diseases etc.
• Effects of after WW1