Why did the Scots leave Scotland?

We will be investigating:

1. The reasons why the Scots left - Push & Pull.

Introduction

• Scotland's population changed in shape and size during this time. Between 1830 and 1930 it has been estimated that over two million people left Scotland.

• Where people lived also changed. • Many people in Scotland moved

from rural areas into the bustling cities. Many Scots from the cities moved out of Scotland, south to England or to countries elsewhere in the world.

• Historian Tom Devine has said that between 1830 and 1930, 'Scotland emerges as the emigration capital of Europe for much of the period'.

• Scotland can be split into three distinct geographical regions - the Highlands and Islands, the Central Belt and the Lowlands. Each of these regions saw the population leaving. Each had their own distinct push factors that led them to go

The Highlands and Islands-Poverty

• Life in the Highlands was harsh, with many people living in poverty.

• The land was poor and difficult to grow crops on.

• The population was increasing causing competition for land, jobs and housing.

• There were a lack of jobs as an alternative to working on the land.

• The failure of fishing, linen and kelp industries led to high unemployment in the Highlands.

• The potato blight of 1847 spread to Scotland and left thousands of Highlanders close to starvation.

Clearances

• The old clan chief system had broken down and the people were no longer seen as the responsibility of the landowner. These new types of owners wanted to make their estates pay.

• The rearing of sheep and the setting up of Highland gaming estates became more profitable than keeping people on the land, so people were made to leave.

• The people were increasingly seen as a burden on the land. The landowners were looking for profit and the people did not give enough in rent of surplus crops.

The Central Belt-Poverty

• Trade slumps led to people being in irregular employment.

• Wages were low for the unskilled.• Living conditions were awful in the slums

of the cities.• Working conditions were bad, with people,

like navvies and miners, working long hours and often in dangerous conditions.

• Skilled people still had limited opportunities.

Pull factors -A better life

• Opportunities for families to grow up in a healthy environment, e.g. many people in Scottish cities were living in overcrowded tenements.

• Many skilled workers could earn more money abroad.

• There was lots of land available, particularly in the American west and in Canada.

• In Australia cattle and sheep farming were prosperous industries.

• Gold was discovered, first in America and then in Australia causing a Gold Rush.

• Jobs =In all of the countries new settlements were being built, requiring new infrastructure, road networks, new administration centres, schools and churches.

Persuasion• Relations, family and friends wrote

letters back telling of great success.

• Stories of great wealth being accumulated – people like Andrew Carnegie who became the richest man in America

• Newspapers ran adverts describing the better lives waiting for those who would emigrate. Letters from successful emigrants would also be published.

• Agents from the countries would work in Scotland, holding big meetings; they would try to recruit Scots with tales of better lives. The excitement at these meetings would inspire many to leave

Religious zeal• Some emigrants hoped to persuade people in

other lands who were not Christians to join the Christian religion.

• These people were called missionaries as it was their 'Mission' to spread the word of the Lord.

• All the Christian religious organisations sent missionaries to the New World.

Support for Emigration

• Emigration could be very costly. There were a number of ways of getting help.

• Governments of the new countries would offer land and help with the cost of travel. They wanted people to come and help develop their country.

• Emigration Societies were set up to help people emigrate.

• Charities helped people to emigrate to new lives. This included orphaned children who would be sent to new families in the New Worlds.

• The British Government's main efforts to help people emigrate, came in the 1930s as a solution to unemployment.

• There was a shortage of young women in the New World settlements. Colonial agents tried to attract women.