My higher history issue 1 push and pull factors for migration and empire

Emigration push factor - living conditions

The living conditions in towns and cities in Scotland was generally poor, with families living in overcrowded houses so they emigrated in hope of finding better living conditions.

Emigration push factor - jail

Some Scots had no choice but to move abroad, people who had committed crimes could be sent to jail in Australia as punishment. Up to 1868, 8000 Scots were sent to Australia as punishment.

Emigration push factor - industrial revolution

Effects of the Industrial Revolution on craftsmen. For example, skilled craftsmen such as handloom weavers were no longer required in Scotland but their skill was valued abroad in places like Canada.

Emigration push factor - landlords

Landlords cleared Scots off their land in the Highland Clearances to Scots had no choice but to move elsewhere, many chose to emigrate to countries within the Empire.

Emigration push factor - lack of opportunities

There was a real lack of opportunities in the Highlands/ boring mundane lifestyle so Scots decided to emigrate elsewhere for a change of scene.

Emigration push factor - kelp industry

The kelp industry went into decline, many Scots worked in this industry so they had no choice but to migrate to find a stable job, some chose to move abroad to achieve this

Emigration push factor - fishing industry

Many Scots were struggling in the fishing industry due to poor catches and the Russian Revolution which meant Scots lost one of their most reliable buyers of Herring. As they were losing their jobs, they moved to the Great Lakes in North America.

Emigration push factor - injuries and deaths

Injuries and deaths were a regular hazard, for example cave-ins or explosions were common with mining accidents, so moved abroad to find better jobs that would potentially be less dangerous.

Emigration pull factor - emigration agencies

Emigration Agencies were actively working to attract emigrants. New Zealand and Australian authorities work was widespread, offering free passages and other inducements.

Emigration pull factor - families and friends

Families and friends of Scots who had already migrated abroad sent letters home encouraging others to migrate too.

Emigration pull factor - cheap land

Scots were promised free/ cheap land abroad, especially in Canada as they were skilled farmers so they took up this opportunity.

Emigration pull factor - Emigration Act

Emigration was available to the poorest due to the Emigration Act of 1851 as the government helped to fund their passage abroad which made emigration a reality for many.

Emigration pull factor - Highland Emigration Society

The Highland Emigration Society was set up to help immigrants settle abroad, this encouraged Scots to move as they were provided with support to migrate.

Emigration pull factor - Gold rush

The Gold Rush (discovery of gold) in Australia was a chance for Scots to try their luck and become rich, this encouraged many Scots to migrate to Australia.

Emigration pull factor - transport revolution

The Transport Revolution meant that travel times and cost greatly reduced by steam ship- the journey across the Atlantic was cut from 6-8 weeks to 1 week. Making the journey seem less daunting for Scots.

Emigration pull factor - wages

Scotland was a low wage economy and more could be earned overseas. For example for a Granite worker it would take them one and a half days to earn the same amount of money that it would take a week to earn in Scotland.

Emigration pull factor - newspapers

Newspapers reported on exciting opportunities in lands abroad, as more Scots could read due to the Education Act they read these adverts and then decided to move.

Migration push factor - potato blight

The potato blight of 1846 left Highlanders without the potato crop to eat or sell so they moved to towns and cities in Scotland to access food and work.

Migration push factor - Highland clearances

Scots were cleared from their homes during the Highland Clearances where landowners wanted to use the land for sheep or deer as they could make more money. Scots had no choice but to move to the towns and cities in search of work.

Migration push factor - black houses

Scots living in the Highlands often lived in horrible black houses, 1 roomed homes shared with animals- they had no windows and diseases spread easily. Scots left in hope of finding better living conditions in other areas of Scotland.

Migration push factor - threshing machine

As a result of the Agricultural Revolution machines started to replace farm workers such as the Threshing Machine. Scots working in rural areas had no choice but to move to towns and cities in search of work as they were out of a job.

Migration push factor - kelp industry

The kelp industry went into decline, many Scots worked in this industry so they had no choice but to move elsewhere in Scotland in search of work.

Migration push factor - fishing industry

Many Scots were struggling in the fishing industry due to poor catches and resulted in a lack of income. As they were losing their jobs, they moved to the towns and cities for the new jobs created in the factories.

Migration push factor - Highland life

Highland life was boring and isolated, it was hard to access health services and entertainment so moved to towns and cities

Migration push factor - farming

Farming was very tough the soil was often poor quality and the equipment was very basic. As they were struggling to work the land many moved to the towns and cities for jobs in the new factories.

Migration pull factor - central belt

The central belt of Scotland was full of employment opportunities. Scots decided to move from rural areas to the central belt for these job opportunities in various factories and firms.

Migration pull factor - social opportunities

The towns and cities offered exciting social opportunities such as music halls and cinemas, this enticed Scots from rural areas who were bored with their lives to move.

Migration pull factor - Education Act

The Education Act was passed in 1872 which granted all children from 5-13 an education. Scots moved to towns and cities to access schools so their children could get an education as there were fewer schools in rural areas.

Migration pull factor - steam power

Due to steam power developing in the 1800s, railways were established all over Scotland, this is known as the railway boom of the 1840s. This made migration easier for Scots, many took up the opportunity to move elsewhere in Scotland.

Migration pull factor - better healthcare

In the cities there was better healthcare, for example there were more hospitals and some such as the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary were charitable hospitals that provided healthcare for the poor.

Migration pull factor - higher wages

On average, jobs in the lowlands tended to pay more money than jobs in the Highlands and rural areas.

Migration pull factor - family and friends letters

Having family and friends already in towns and cities would encourage people in the Highlands to move after receiving letters from loved ones.

Migration pull factor - better living conditions

In the 1800s, slum clearances were ordered in Scottish cities, housing was knocked down and replaced with improved ones. Many left rural areas to access new improved housing.

Migration pull factor - textile mills

Migration to the southern parts of Scotland was common particularly Glasgow and Paisley where the textile mills cried out for more workers.