The Immigrant Experience of Scotland Lithuanian Immigrants

Why did they come? Lithuanian immigrants began coming to Scotland in serious fashion in the early 1890s. Most were agricultural workers who had been pushed off the land by poverty. Indeed, the depression in agriculture saw one in four Lithuanians, around 650,000, leave their homeland for other parts in the period 1870–1914. 1. Write a definition for the words that are in bold.

Not all were economic immigrants; some fled Tsarist oppression Not all were economic immigrants; some fled Tsarist oppression. While most were bound for the USA, a number settled in the west of Scotland. They were persuaded by agents of the large iron and steel combines, such as Bairds and Dixons, to come to Scotland to dig coal in company-owned mines. As a result a small Lithuanian community was established in the west of Scotland, particularly in Coatbridge where some 5000–6000 immigrants congregated. 2. What do you think is meant by an economic immigrant? 3. This slide and the previous one have given a number of reasons as to why Lithuanians came to Scotland. Make a list in your jotters, listing these factors from MOST important to LEAST important.

4. Why do you think this was the case? Lithuanians were distrusted by the local mining community. The Lanarkshire Miners’ Union offered to support any strikes against the Lithuanian presence in the area. 4. Why do you think this was the case?

Who/Why??? 5. “I’m concerned that these new immigrants will drive down our wages and make us poor” 6. “They are drunken, filthy people and will likely spread germs and disease” 7. “Like the Italians and many of the Irish, they present a problem for the Presbyterian people of Scotland

‘Strange’ Customs Christenings generally lasted three days and weddings a week. 8. What implications might this have?

Settling in… Once settled, the Lithuanian miners began to join with their fellow Scottish miners in fighting to improve conditions in the mining industry and as such were accepted into the Lanarkshire Miners’ Union. They also won respect from locals for their community spirit. Very quickly, the Lithuanians had their own clergy, two newspapers, insurance societies, shops and other recreational groups.

THINK… When World War 1 broke out, this created an identity issue among most of Scotland’s Lithuanian community. 9. Why?