Migration and Empire, 1830-1939
Exemplar 1
One ‘How far...’ question on issue 1 – ‘The migration of Scots’
One ‘How far...’ question on issue 2 – ‘The experience of immigrants in Scotland’
One Comparison question on the issues above (or any of their sub-issues)
4. Migration and Empire, 1830-1939
Study the sources below then answer the questions as instructed.
Source A: from Michael Lynch Scotland: A New History ( 1992 )
In 1836, a census made by the minister of the Gaelic congregation in Glasgow established
that there were 22,000 Highlanders in the city, but this was almost certainly an
underestimate because of the seasonal nature of the search for work. Migrants from the
Highlands were the young and single, both male and female, and increasingly, male heads
of the poorest households among the crofters and cottars. Many were attracted to foreign
lands by stories of fortunes able to be made and a comfortable life to be had. Migration
provided a safety valve for these groups who always, at best, lived on the margin of
subsistence and it also allowed the land to be organised on a more commercial basis.
Migration depended, however, on the availability of work and it was fortunate that the worst
years of famine coincided with the expansion of job opportunities, especially in railway
construction, labouring for men and domestic service for girls. Scots also left for new
countries, searching for better prospects, pushed by the harsh pressures of the soil, climate
and landlordism and pulled by land-hunger, usually to Canada, where land was still cheap
and plentiful.
Source B: from Marjory Harper Crossing Borders: Scottish emigration to Canada
(Institute of Historical Research, 2006 )
Highland emigrants were simultaneously driven by economic and social dislocation resulting
from rising rents and agricultural restructuring, and enticed by the offer of generous land
grants. In the early nineteenth century, when the Highland economy crumbled due to
recession and repeated subsistence crises, landlords believed that emigration was the only
alternative to a surplus population and starvation. Further, rural Lowlanders had been
attracted to Canada because it offered independent owner-occupation of land, in direct
contrast to the lack of farming opportunities at home. The steady commercialisation of
Lowland agriculture had been frustrating the landholding ambitions of small tenant farmers
and farm labourers alike, as landlords sought to maximise production by creating ever bigger
farms. In Canada, a good farm could be bought for the equivalent of a year’s rent at home,
such a step bringing economic betterment for their families.
Source C: from Martin J. Mitchell (ed.) New Perspectives on The Irish In Scotland (2008)
The prevailing view about the Catholic Irish in nineteenth century Scotland is that they were
despised by the bulk of the native population, and as a result formed separate and isolated
communities. Sections of the Scottish middle-class were openly hostile to Irish Catholic
immigrants as they believed that they were the cause of the moral decline of the native
population. Some historians have highlighted sectarian riots and disturbances in Scotland
during this period as proof that there was considerable Protestant working-class hostility
towards the Catholic Irish community and many such incidents did occur. However, many
incidents were not of a sectarian character-they were disturbances against the Irish, both
Catholic and Protestant- as strike-breakers. Indeed, there was comparatively little open
popular hostility towards the immigrant presence. There is evidence, however, of small scale
anti-Catholic activity, such as the breaking of the windows of Roman Catholic churches and
shouting abuse at priests. However, there is evidence which suggests that members of the
Catholic Irish community enjoyed good relations with some Scottish workers and in fact
associated with them to a considerable extent.
Questions
Marks
1
How far does Source A explain the factors that forced Scots to leave Scotland?
Use the source and recalled knowledge.
2
To what extent do Sources A and B agree about the reasons for Scottish emigration
during the nineteenth century?
Compare the content overall and in detail.
3
10
5
How far does Source C illustrate the assimilation of immigrants into Scottish society?
Use the source and recalled knowledge.
10
Marking Instructions
Question 1: How far does Source A explain the factors that forced Scots to leave Scotland?
10
The candidate makes a judgment on the factors for Scottish emigration in terms of:
Points from the source which show the candidate has interpreted the significant views:
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Poverty amongst the crofters and cottars-living on margin of subsistence.
Fortunes could be made and a more comfortable life achieved.
Emigration- searching for better prospects in Canada-pulled by land-hunger.
Pushed by pressures such as poor soil, climate and landlordism.
Points from recall which support and develop those in source:
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The ‘Highland Problem’-too little land and a rising population.
Poor living conditions, harsh climate in Highlands.
Lack of opportunity of farm ownership in Scotland.
Canada offered free land grants as an enticement to settlers.
Discovery of gold in the USA attracted emigrants from Scotland.
Points from recall which offer a wider contextualisation:
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The Highland Clearances.
Decline of fishing industry.
Poor wages in agriculture.
Agricultural Revolution and the coming of machinery created unemployment.
Work of Emigration Agents in rural communities.
Letters of encouragement from family who had previously emigrated.
Displacement of craftsmen from smaller country towns.
Industrial Revolution-crafts undermined by urban competition.
Work of government emigration bodies.
Any other relevant points.
Question 2
To what extent do Sources A and B agree about the reasons for Scottish
emigration during the nineteenth century?
5
The candidate makes a judgment on how far Sources A and B agree about the reasons for
Scottish emigration.
Overall, both sources agree that a major reason for emigration was economic- poverty and
the lack of opportunities which were available for farm workers in Scotland coupled with the
desire to own their own farm/land.
Points from Source A
Points from Source B

Highlanders lived on the margin of
subsistence.

Highland economy crumbled due to
recession and subsistence crises.

Emigration allowed the land to be
organised on a more commercial
basis.

Landlords sought to maximise
production by creating even bigger
farms.

Scots were pulled by land-hunger,
usually to Canada.

Canada offered independent owneroccupation of the land.

Scots left for new countries searching
for better prospects.

Moving to Canada was a step
bringing economic betterment for
their families.
Question 3
How far does Source C illustrate the assimilation of immigrants into Scottish
society?
10
The candidate makes a judgment on the assimilation of immigrants into Scottish society in
terms of:
Points from the source which show the candidate has interpreted the significant views:

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Common view is that Catholic Irish were despised by the bulk of the Scots and
formed separate and isolated communities as a result.
Scottish middle-class was hostile to Catholic Irish immigrants.
Sectarian riots and disturbances did take place during the period but few in number.
Evidence exists which supports the view that members of the Catholic Irish immigrant
community enjoyed good relations with Scottish workers and associated with them to
a great extent.
Points from recall which support and develop those in the source:
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View that Catholic Irish immigrants were ’strangers in a foreign land’.
Immigrants tended to live in certain parts of the towns and kept themselves to
themselves.
Working-class views towards immigrants not generally positive for various reasons.
Scotland Protestant country and did not welcome Catholic Irish as they believed they
were less than loyal to the Crown and were attempting to spread Popery.
‘Orange’ versus ‘Green’ troubles common in west more commonly.
Positive contribution of Irish Catholic immigrants to the trade union movement
generally working alongside Scottish trade unionists.
Points from recall which offer a wider contextualisation:
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Catholic Irish immigrants experienced disdain of native Scots; found in poorest parts
of towns; suffered abuse for their religion; gradually worked their way up the social
ladder in many cases. ‘The Catholic Irish were everything the Scots did not want to
be’-Fry.
Protestant Irish immigrants were more accepted into Scottish society due to their
religion; still suffered from discrimination in society, however.
Lithuanians integrated more easily into Scottish society; seen as less of a threat;
fewer in number than the Irish; resented as strike-breakers by native Scots;
Lithuanians prepared to change their names to become more ‘Scottish’ made
assimilation easier than Irish.
Italian immigrants were accepted into Scottish society fairly readily; provided services
such as cafes, ice cream parlours; maintained their identity through clubs and
organisations and not perceived as a threat to Scottish way of life.
Jewish immigrants faced the possibility of anti-Semitic attacks; subject to bigoted
comments made by Catholics and Protestants; assimilated more easily into society
than Irish immigrants.
Any other relevant points