Immigration to Scotland 1830s-1939 Lithuanians

Aim: Examine the impact of Lithuanian immigration on Scotland. Success Criteria: You Can……… Identify three ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors which caused Lithuanian immigration. Give three reasons why some Scots reacted negatively. Describe two ways that Lithuanians integrated into Scottish communities.

Glossary Push Factors – reasons why people want to leave their home country. Pull Factors – reasons why people are attracted to another country. Strike – when workers refuse to work. Conscription – compulsory military service. Deported – when someone is forced to leave a country.

Lithuanian Immigration In the 1800s Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire. Between the 1860s and 1914 around 7,000 Lithuanians arrived in Scotland.

Lithuanian Immigration Many left to escape persecution - they were not regarded as true Russians and were often treated unfairly. Taxes were high in Lithuania so people had less income. Many farmers moved because the population was growing and good farming land became scarce. In Scotland there were jobs in the growing industries of coal, steel and iron. Many of these jobs often provided housing for workers as well. Immigrants could also stop in Scotland then sail from Glasgow or Leith to America – this was cheaper than travelling directly to America.

Many Lithuanian immigrants settled in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire where the growing industries of coal, steel and iron were located. Lanarkshire Ayrshire

Lanarkshire

Ayrshire

Experience of Immigrants At first Lithuanians were unpopular as Scottish miners saw them as a threat to their jobs. When Scottish miners were on strike to try and get better wages, mine owners employed Lithuanians as strike breakers in order to keep the mines working. Eventually Lithuanian workers sided with their fellow Scots and supported the demands of Scottish workers.

Experience of Immigrants In areas like Lanarkshire, there was growing divisions and tensions between the Catholic and Protestant populations. Most Lithuanians were also Catholic and faced anti-Catholic prejudice from some Scots. There was also concerns about drunkenness among Lithuanian immigrants.

Experience of Immigrants However this was partly to do with customs. Christenings lasted three days and weddings a week. It was hardly surprising that some guests ended up drunk and disorderly and found themselves on the wrong side of the law!

Experience of Immigrants To begin with many Lithuanians tried to hold onto their identity – there were separate Lithuanian newspapers, shops and even Lithuanian insurance societies. However as time went on there was greater integration with the local population. Many Lithuanians changed their names to Scottish surnames e.g. Brown, Smith and Miller. Other Lithuanians began to marry within the local community.

The First World War During the war, Britain, France and Russia fought as Allies against the Germans. In 1916 conscription was introduced in Britain – all men between the ages of 19- 41 had to join the army. Which country should Lithuanians fight for?

The First World War In 1917 Britain and Russia agreed that all Russian males would either be conscripted into the British army or deported for military service in Russia. 1800 Lithuanians were called up – 700 joined the British army and 1100 chose to be deported to Russia. A number of Lithuanians chose not to return to Scotland after the war. Eventually around 600 wives and children were sent back to Russia to join them.

Overall Over time Lithuanians in Scotland lost their distinct identity. They integrated with their Scottish neighbours, changing their surnames and marrying into the local population. Today many families in areas such as Lanarkshire and Ayrshire have Lithuanian connections.

Revision Task So far you have studied two groups of people who came to live in Scotland – Jews and Lithuanians. For each group of immigrants make a list of key words or phrases which are relevant to that particular group.