Migration and Empire

1. Migration and Empire Introduction

2. Movement of People • Why? • Economic Reasons • Push and Pull

3. Agricultural Revolution • Decline in farm work and domestic production • Increase in industrial work – factories, mines, shipyards

4. Consequences? • Some major changes in the way people worked and where they worked • These are social and economic changes • The majority of those who left Scottish shores were young – the future generations, taking their skills with them.

5. Industrialisation-Scotland globally important • Textile industry • Iron and steel works • Engineering • Jute • Shipbuilding • Coal mining

6. Development of communication • Railways • Canals • Shipping

7. World economy • Demand for steam ships – most built in Scotland • Expansion in trade with the huge British Empire • Wealth created by Scots taking advantage of world trade, e.g. Lipton (Tea)

8. Effects of all of this? • Urbanisation (31% 1830 -> 64% 1930) • Population Growth (Immigrants add greatly to this) • Population movement -> Central belt • Decline and depopulation of rural areas • Decline in rural employment

9. Living conditions in towns • Overcrowding • Slums • Diseases • Poverty • High death rate

10. Why Scotland? • Highlanders cleared from their land and Irish immigrants willing to work for less money • Cheap labour = increased profits • High demand for unskilled labour -> farm labourers, Irish and Highlanders • Coal seams – central belt importance • Deep water, accessible ports – Clyde • Skilled labour force also

11. Immigrants to Scotland • There have been many nationalities who were attracted to the Scottish nation between 1830 and 1939. • Scotland became the focus for many who were experiencing difficulties in their own lands. It is therefore accepted that many were looking for some kind of escape, and Scotland was not their destination of choice.

12. The new arrivals • The Irish arrived in Scotland to flee a terrible famine and abject poverty. • Others, such as the Jews and some eastern Europeans, were fleeing religious and/or political persecution. • Historians note that Scotland was seen as a stopping-off place until passage could be secured for America or some other land of opportunity.

13. The new arrivals • Those that settled in Scotland only did so as they lacked the finance to go further afield. • Some groups, such as the Polish and Lithuanians were fooled into believing that Scotland was a prosperous land offering a wealth of opportunities.

14. Scotland & the British empire • Scots play major part in its development • Scotland’s economy boosted greatly by trade with the Empire • Many successful Scots abroad • Opportunities for Scots to serve and rise in the ranks of the army

15. 1930s • Great Depression • Decline in demand for many products of heavy industry • Scotland too dependent on heavy industry • Increasing foreign competition • Increasing unrest in the Empire. Moves towards independence.