Migration and Empire: Experience of Scots

Question 1

Why did the Irish migrate to Scotland?

Answer 1

For seasonal work, proximity, and to stay connected with family and culture.

Question 2

What were the push factors for Irish migration?

Answer 2

Poverty, high rents, growing population, and the Potato Famine.

Question 3

Where did the Irish settle in Scotland?

Answer 3

Glasgow, West of Scotland, Edinburgh (Cowgate), Dundee.

Question 4

What social conditions did the Irish face in Scotland?

Answer 4

Overcrowded slums, disease (typhus), and anti-Irish prejudice.

Question 5

What role did the Catholic Church play for Irish immigrants?

Answer 5

Built churches, set up schools, and supported immigrants socially.

Question 6

What were the economic conditions for Irish immigrants?

Answer 6

Worked in mining, ship-building, textiles, and construction, often in poor conditions.

Question 7

How did Scots view Irish immigrants?

Answer 7

Tensions were high; Irish were seen as job threats and strike breakers.

Question 8

How did Irish and Scots relations evolve?

Answer 8

Initially tense, but shared working-class experiences and intermarriage helped assimilation.

Question 9

What was a significant factor in Irish assimilation?

Answer 9

Shared experiences in trade unions, politics, and intermarriage.

Question 10

What was the role of Irish football clubs?

Answer 10

Clubs like Celtic and Hibernian helped Irish immigrants integrate.

Question 11

Why did Italians migrate to Scotland?

Answer 11

Poverty, poor farming conditions, and recruitment agents attracted them.

Question 12

Where did Italians settle in Scotland?

Answer 12

Mainly in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and other areas for business opportunities.

Question 13

What were the social conditions for Italians in Scotland?

Answer 13

Italian families maintained Catholic traditions, often not fully integrating with Scots.

Question 14

What economic activities did Italians engage in?

Answer 14

Catering, ice cream parlours, fish and chip shops, and hairdressing.

Question 15

What was the role of ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops?

Answer 15

They became central to Italian business success and helped Italians settle in Scotland.

Question 16

How were Italian businesses perceived?

Answer 16

Successful, but criticised for Sunday openings and unruly behaviour.

Question 17

What was the relationship between Italians and Scots?

Answer 17

Some tension due to religious differences and criticisms of Italian cafés.

Question 18

How did the Italian community assimilate?

Answer 18

They did not compete for jobs, but remained an insular community.

Question 19

Why did Jews migrate to Scotland?

Answer 19

To escape persecution (pogroms) in Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.

Question 20

Where did Jews settle in Scotland?

Answer 20

The Gorbals in Glasgow, later moving to Pollokshields, Clarkston, and Giffnock.

Question 21

What were the social conditions for Jews in Scotland?

Answer 21

Lived in small flats, moved in with relatives, and established strong community ties.

Question 22

What role did language play for Jewish immigrants?

Answer 22

Many spoke Yiddish, creating a language barrier that slowed integration.

Question 23

What economic activities did Jews engage in?

Answer 23

Tailoring, shoemaking, watchmaking, cigarette industry, hawking, and peddling.

Question 24

How were Jews perceived in Scotland?

Answer 24

Faced prejudice and discrimination, but anti-Semitism was not widespread.

Question 25

How did Jews assist each other in Scotland?

Answer 25

The Jewish community helped each other more than relying on local poor relief.

Question 26

How did Jews assimilate in Scotland?

Answer 26

They stayed in their own communities, particularly in the Gorbals and Garnethill.

Question 27

Why did Lithuanians migrate to Scotland?

Answer 27

Economic hardship, persecution by the Russian government, and work opportunities in steel industries.

Question 28

Where did Lithuanians settle in Scotland?

Answer 28

Mainly in Coatbridge, Wishaw, and around Lanarkshire near coal mines.

Question 29

What were the social conditions for Lithuanians in Scotland?

Answer 29

Developed their own communities, including newspapers, shops, and recreational groups.

Question 30

What economic roles did Lithuanians take on in Scotland?

Answer 30

Worked in coal, iron, and steel industries with poor working conditions.

Question 31

How were Lithuanians perceived by Scots?

Answer 31

Faced hostility, accusations of low moral standards, and resentment for breaking strikes.

Question 32

How did Lithuanians assimilate in Scotland?

Answer 32

Joined strikes to improve working conditions, adopted English names, and intermarried with Scots.

Question 33

How did Jewish immigrants maintain better relationships with Scots?

Answer 33

They supported each other during financial difficulties, avoiding reliance on Scottish Poor Relief.

Question 34

What social condition was common for Jewish immigrants in Scotland?

Answer 34

Many Jews lived in poor, overcrowded slum conditions, particularly in the Gorbals.

Question 35

What economic activity did Jewish immigrants commonly engage in?

Answer 35

Many Jews worked in or set up small businesses, such as tailoring and selling cloth caps.

Question 36

What drove Irish immigrants to Scotland in the 19th century?

Answer 36

Increasing poverty in Ireland.

Question 37

What contribution did Irish immigrants make to Scottish industries?

Answer 37

They worked on railways and helped open new sources of wealth.

Question 38

How were Irish immigrants viewed by some in Scotland in the 1849 report?

Answer 38

They were blamed for increasing poor rates, filling jails, and reducing wages.

Question 39

What involvement did Irish immigrants have in Scottish labour movements?

Answer 39

They participated in strikes, trade unions, and campaigns, which were often welcomed by Scottish workers.

Question 40

What was the relationship between Scottish workers and Irish immigrants during sectarian riots?

Answer 40

Most Scottish workers remained aloof, with the riots mostly involving Protestant and Catholic Irish immigrants.

Question 41

By the 1900s, what kind of community did Catholic Irish immigrants form in Scotland?

Answer 41

A distinct, introverted ethnic community with its own chapels, schools, and political agenda.

Question 42

What career paths did Jewish immigrants often pursue in Scotland?

Answer 42

Many young Jews entered medicine, benefiting from Scotland’s education system.

Question 43

How were Jewish immigrants viewed by the local Scottish community?

Answer 43

They faced hostility, with some anti-Semitic remarks, but also had support from the Christian clergy.

Question 44

How did Jewish immigrants make a living in Glasgow's Gorbals?

Answer 44

They worked in the clothing industry or small shops, with some selling goods door-to-door.

Question 45

Why did Italian immigrants come to Scotland in the early 20th century?

Answer 45

Many sought to join family members already successful in the fish and chip and ice cream businesses.

Question 46

What challenges did Italian café owners face in Scotland?

Answer 46

They worked long hours and faced disapproval from local ministers, especially for working on Sundays.

Question 47

What was the experience of Italian children in Scottish schools?

Answer 47

They sometimes faced bullying for being "foreign," but many adapted and integrated over time.

Question 48

Why were Italians successful in the fish and chip trade in Scotland?

Answer 48

Italians were willing to work long hours, unlike the Scots, leading to success in this industry.

Question 49

Why did Lithuanians immigrate to Scotland in the late 19th century?

Answer 49

They were seeking work in the coal mines, especially in North Lanarkshire.

Question 50

What initial hostility did Lithuanians face in Scotland?

Answer 50

They were accused of breaking strikes and diluting the power of unions.

Question 51

How did Lithuanians improve relations with Scottish workers?

Answer 51

They demonstrated loyalty to the Trade Union, gaining acceptance over time.