Impact of Scots on the Empire: Canada

Scots made significant contributions to Canada's development:

• Involved in fur, timber, sugar, oil, iron, and steel industries
• Introduced new farming techniques like crop rotation
• Influenced Canadian literature and culture

Highlight: By 1920, 14% of Canada's business leaders were born in Scotland, demonstrating the significant impact of Scottish immigrants on the Canadian economy.

Key Scottish figures in Canadian history:

• George Stephen: Driving force behind the Canadian Pacific Railway
• John A. Macdonald: Canada's first Prime Minister in 1867

Scottish influence extended to various aspects of Canadian life:

• Settlement in Ontario and Nova Scotia
• Involvement in the Hudson's Bay Company fur trade
• Cultural impact through Scottish Gaelic traditions (bagpipes, tartan, fiddle)

Example: The question "To what extent did Italian immigrants make the largest impact on Scotland's economy" can be contrasted with the significant impact Scots had on Canada's economy.

Experiences of Immigrants in Scotland

This section explores the experiences of various immigrant groups in Scotland:

Italians:

• Ran popular ice-cream parlours and fish & chip shops
• Dispersed geographically, making them less of a target
• Maintained strong family networks through marriages
• Faced some tension due to Sunday trading

Highlight: Italian immigrants often ran family businesses and hoped to return to Italy, leading to limited assimilation with native Scots.

Lithuanians:

• Primarily employed in the coal mining industry
• Initially faced hostility from Scots who saw them as strike-breakers
• Adapted by changing to more Scottish-sounding names
• The Miners Federation of Great Britain printed its rules in Lithuanian

Jewish Immigrants:

• Experienced little organized abuse
• Settled in central Glasgow, establishing small businesses
• Helped each other rather than relying on poor relief
• Faced criticism from trade unions for undercutting wages

Example: Jewish immigrants often set up businesses such as tailors and cigarette factories, which were generally accepted as they didn't threaten Scottish jobs.

Impact of Scots on the Empire: India

Scots played crucial roles in India's development under British rule:

• Involvement in the East India Company
• Development of tea plantations and the jute industry
• Many Governor Generals were of Scottish origin

Highlight: James Andrew Brown-Ramsay, the 1st Marquess of Dalhousie, implemented significant reforms in India, including banning practices like Suttee and Thuggee.

Key contributions by Scottish administrators:

• Built telegraph communication and national postal systems
• Promoted female education, leading to the establishment of girls' schools
• Developed infrastructure plans connecting major regions of India

Example: The famous Lipton tea brand originated from Scottish involvement in Indian tea plantations.

Irish Immigration to Scotland

Irish Catholics:

• Initially viewed as strike-breakers and accused of keeping wages low
• Faced discrimination and were blamed for being 'benefit scroungers'
• Established their own churches, schools, and organizations
• Often took less skilled jobs
• Experienced increased discrimination as the Scottish economy collapsed in the 1920s and 1930s

Highlight: Many Irish Catholics came to Scotland in poverty and became isolated as Scots were repelled by their presence.

Irish Protestants:

• Found easier assimilation due to shared religion with most Scots
• Generally more skilled than Irish Catholics, earning more respect from Scots
• Included professionals such as doctors, engineers, and scientists

Example: The experience of Italian immigrants in Scotland differed significantly from that of Irish immigrants, with Italians facing less discrimination but maintaining stronger cultural ties to their homeland.