Migration & Empire, 1830-1939

Migration & Empire, 1830-1939 Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians • In today’s class I am learning to: • Describe the experiences of Lithuanian immigrants in Scotland • Explain why some Scots supported or opposed Lithuanian immigration

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Lithuanian migration has often received less attention than other immigrant groups, but there was still a significant population in Scotland.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Reasons for moving

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Russia’s actions forced Lithuanians to migrate. The Russian Empire used Russiafication. This meant that countries under their control (including Lithuania) had to speak Russian and could not follow their own customs, such as religious beliefs.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Religious discrimination also forced many Lithuanians to leave their home, including moving to Scotland. Catholic Lithuanians were oppressed by the Russian Orthodox Church, and Lithuanian Jews faced attacks too.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Some Lithuanians also fled to Scotland to avoid being forced to become soldiers in the Russian Army. Others moved to escape the extreme poverty in their country, including having to pay very high taxes to the Russian Empire.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians For most Lithuanians, the aim was to live in the USA. Scotland was a temporary home to allow them to earn enough money to pay for their US fare. It is even claimed that on arrival in Scotland some Lithuanians believed they were in the USA.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Where they lived

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians There were two groups of Lithuanian immigrant, and this influenced the places to which they moved, and often the jobs in which they worked. Jewish Lithuanians tended to move to Glasgow but Catholic Lithuanians lived in other areas.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians The largest group of Lithuanian immigrants were Catholic. They moved to areas with mine work, such as West Lothianand Ayrshire. Others went to North Ayrshire to work in the smelting industry, or steel works in Lanarkshire.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Bellshill in Lanarkshire was a particular magnet for Lithuanian immigrants. Around 5000-6000 Lithuanians lived in the area – giving it the nickname ‘Little Lithuania’. They were attracted by nearby mines and steel works.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians The Lithuanian community in Scotland grew until World War One. At this point Lithuanian men were forced to join the British or Russian armies, and this led to many of them leaving Scotland, reducing the community’s visibility.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Employment

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Jewish immigrants from Lithuania went to cities such as Edinburgh and, in particular, Glasgow. In these places they worked in the tailoring industry, or set up businesses selling tobacco or working as hawkers and peddlers.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Most Lithuanian immigrants were Catholic and they moved to areas with heavy industry such as mines and metal works. Some Scottish companies – such as Bairds and Dixons – actively recruited in Lithuania to attract employees.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Mine work was not limited just to male Lithuanian immigrants; many women also found work in the mines too. Some Lithuanians – who had been farmers in their homeland – also found work on Scottish farms, especially at harvest time.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Housing conditions

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Jewish Lithuanian immigrants tended to live in poor quality housing in places like Glasgow, in particular the Gorbals. Here they faced the same problems as others in these areas, including overcrowding and poor sanitation.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Catholic Lithuanians mainly lived in poor areas near to their work, such as the mines of Ayrshire or metal works in Lanarkshire. They also had to live in poor quality and overcrowded homes as a result of this.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Personal identity

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians One of the main reasons that Lithuanians came to Scotland was to avoid the Russification policy, which forced them give up their personal identity. As a result of this it was important that once in Scotland they continued to celebrate their heritage.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Lithuanian communities in Scotland continued to speak their native language. In addition they set up newspapers, which not only helped them read in their language but also to find out information about life in Lithuania.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Lithuanian businesses were also established in Scotland, which brought more money into the community. Insurance companies were set up and other Lithuanians opened shops, which other immigrants were encouraged to use.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Lithuanian social groups were established, letting the immigrant group to socialise at events such as concerts and dances. Marriage and birthceremonies amongst Lithuanians were also conducted in line with traditions at home.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Other social groups for Lithuanians included youth clubs, football teams, choirs and scout groups. Lithuanian immigrants also continued to practice their religious beliefs, which was Catholicism for most of them.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Relations with Scots

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Lithuanians made up only a small proportion of Scotland’s population; they also living in only a small number of areas across the country. Whilst this limited the discrimination they faced, it did not stop it happening.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians To help them better integrate, some immigrants changed their surnames to reflect Scottish names, for example,Bernotaitis became Brown. However some names were changed by officials without agreement.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians However many Lithuanians still faced criticism from Scots. Many Lithuanians worked in mines, often being used by employers as strike breakers. This resulted in them facing anger from Scottish mine workers whose jobs they took.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Other Scots felt angry that the immigrant Lithuanians would sometimes work for lower wages that Scots. This led to a fear that Scots would lose their jobs, or that all average wages would be reduced as a result of this, again creating resentment.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Trade unions launched campaigns against the immigrant workers, even describing them as “an evil” in Scottish society. Some politicians also campaigned against their presence, saying Scots did not want to accept the “paupers of Europe”.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Eventually though many Lithuanians improved relations by becoming involved in campaigns to improve workplace conditions. This included setting up trade unions or supporting strike action taken by the Scots.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Like other immigrant groups, the Lithuanians that came to Scotland were often very poor, or they were trying to save money for the US journey. This meant they lived in poorer areas, causing anger if they were seen to add to overcrowding.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Lithuanians also suffered (in the same way as other immigrants) from negative stereotypes. The poverty faced by Lithuanians created an idea that they were drunk, dirty or diseased, leading to some Scots opposing their migration.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Another problem was that the majority of Lithuanian immigrants were Catholic. This brought them into conflict with many Protestant Scots, especially when the Lithuanians held their religious services, spoken in Lithuanian.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians Even though many had integrated into Scotland, many Lithuanian families were forced to leave. After World War One the British government withdrew financial support for Lithuanian women and children, forcing them to go home.

Immigrants in Scotland - Lithuanians • The British government wanted the Lithuanians to leave because: • They did want to pay the economic cost of supporting the Lithuanians • They worried Lithuanians might support Communism

Immigrants in Scotland – Lithuanians Reasons for moving Employment Lithuanian people Relations with Scots Housing Personal identity

Migration & Empire, 1830-1939