OCR B GCSE History: Migration to Britain (early modern, 1500-1750)

based on my notes and textbook i hope its helpful <33

What roles did Africans have in early modern England?

Servants, musicians, craftsmen

What was the Reformation?

A movement in 16th century Europe challenging the Catholic Church

What did Martin Luther do in 1517?

Published 95 Theses criticising the Church

What was the result of the Reformation?

Split between Catholics and Protestants across Europe

What was expected of people in early modern Europe?

To follow the ruler's religion

What religion did Henry VIII establish?

Church of England (Protestant leadership, Catholic beliefs retained)

What religion did Edward VI promote?

Protestantism

What religion did Mary I restore?

Roman Catholicism

What did Elizabeth I do in 1559?

Established Protestant settlement

Which countries remained Catholic?

Spain, France, Italy

Which countries became Protestant?

England, Netherlands, parts of Germany

What was the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572)?

Killing of ~2000 Huguenots in Paris

Why did Huguenots flee France?

Religious persecution

What was the Spanish Armada (1588)?

Spanish attempt to invade England and restore Catholicism

Why was England a safe place for Protestants?

Defeat of Armada ensured Protestant rule

What happened after 1660 in England?

Restoration of monarchy → stability and prosperity

Why did England attract migrants by 1700?

Jobs, trade growth, political stability

Why was London important by 1700?

Largest, busiest trading city in Europe

What was Britain like by 1750?

Richest nation and major global trading power

Who were the Hansa merchants?

German trading group controlling much of European trade

Why were Hansa merchants invited?

To develop England's wool trade

What advantages did Hansa merchants have?

Privileges, control of trade, wealth

What was the Steelyard?

Hansa trading base in London

Why were Hansa merchants resented?

Seen as taking wealth and jobs

What was Evil May Day (1517)?

Anti-foreigner riots in London

Who led anti-foreigner propaganda before riots?

Preachers like Dr Bell

What happened during Evil May Day?

Attacks on foreign merchants and homes

How did the government respond to Evil May Day?

Troops restored order; some executed, many pardoned

When were Hansa merchants expelled?

1597 by Elizabeth I

What was the impact of Hansa merchants?

Strengthened England's trade and economy

Who were the Huguenots?

French Protestants fleeing persecution

Why did Huguenots migrate to England?

Escape religious persecution in Catholic France

How were Huguenots treated initially?

Welcomed and supported as fellow Protestants

What rights did Huguenots receive?

Denizen status; full rights by 1708

What skills did Huguenots bring?

Silk weaving, clockmaking, metalwork, textiles

What was the impact of Huguenots?

Boosted manufacturing and helped economic growth

Where did many Huguenots settle?

London (e.g. Spitalfields)

How were Huguenots viewed by some English people?

Competition for jobs → some resentment

Who were the Palatines?

German migrants arriving in 1709

Why did the Palatines migrate?

War, poverty, bad harvests, religious issues

What did the Palatines expect?

Transport to America ("promised land")

How were Palatines treated on arrival?

Placed in camps, seen as burden

Why did attitudes towards Palatines worsen?

Many were poor and some Catholic

What happened to many Palatines?

Sent to America/Ireland or returned home

What was the impact of Palatines?

Led to stricter migration controls and laws

What was the key difference between Huguenots and Palatines?

Huguenots skilled and welcomed; Palatines poor and resented

Who were 'Gypsies'?

Nomadic groups (Romany origin from India via Europe)

What was the Egyptians Act (1530)?

Law ordering Gypsies to leave England

Why were Gypsies targeted?

Seen as vagrants and culturally different

What jobs did Gypsies do?

Pedlars, metalworkers, entertainers, traders

What punishments did Gypsies face?

Imprisonment, deportation, execution

How long did anti-Gypsy laws last?

Until late 18th century

When were Jews readmitted to England?

1656 under Oliver Cromwell

Who helped persuade Cromwell?

Menasseh ben Israel

Why did Cromwell allow Jews back?

Economic benefits + anti-Catholic alliances

Where did Jews settle in London?

Aldgate

What jobs did Jews do in early modern England?

Trade, finance, banking

What was the impact of Jewish migrants?

Boosted trade and financial systems

What evidence shows continued prejudice against Jews?

Some changed identity (e.g. Moses Hart)

How were Africans sometimes treated?

Status symbols or property

What happened in 1596 regarding Africans?

Elizabeth I supported removal of some Africans

What evidence shows African presence in England?

Parish records, tax records, court documents

What changed after 1640 for Africans?

Increasing links to slavery and trade

How were Africans sometimes displayed?

As symbols of wealth in portraits

Who were 'Lascars'?

Indian sailors working on East India Company ships

Who were 'Ayahs'?

Indian female servants

Why did Indians come to England?

Trade links via East India Company

How were Indian migrants treated?

Often servants; rarely fully accepted

What happened to some Indian servants?

Abandoned or exploited

What does evidence suggest about Indian migrants?

Often invisible in records and poorly treated

What was the impact of global trade on migration?

Brought people from Africa, Asia and beyond

What does early modern migration show overall?

Increased diversity but unequal acceptance

What were push factors in early modern migration?

Religious persecution, war, poverty

What were pull factors?

Jobs, safety, religious freedom, economic opportunity

What pattern describes attitudes to migrants in this period?

Welcomed if skilled/wealthy; rejected if poor/different

What was 'denization'?

A legal status allowing migrants some rights of English citizens

Why was denization important?

Allowed migrants to work, own property, and settle more securely

What was the East India Company (1600)?

Company set up to trade with Asia

How did the East India Company link to migration?

Brought Indian sailors (lascars) and servants (ayahs) to England

What was the 'Steelyard'?

Main base of Hanseatic League merchants in London

What was the significance of 1709 for migration?

Large-scale arrival of Palatine migrants

What evidence shows England became part of a global network?

Trade links with Americas, Africa and Asia increased migration

What was the impact of the British Empire on migration?

Encouraged movement of people, goods and labour across continents

What was a key feature of African migration before 1700?

Many were free individuals before links to slavery increased

What was the triangular trade?

Trade route linking Britain, Africa and the Americas involving enslaved Africans

What was a key similarity between all migrant groups?

Faced some level of prejudice or discrimination

What was a key difference in treatment of migrants?

Skilled/wealthy migrants welcomed more than poor migrants