MIGRATION IN THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD AND TO GREAT BRITAIN (1500s-1900s)

africans in 16th century england- reasons for arrival

- Catherine of aragon brought over african poeple with her

- after an unsuccessful rebellion against spanish rule, some moors may have come to England as refugees

Africans in 16th century England- experiences

We know from parish and court records that a small number of black people lived free, integrated lives mixing with the settled community. Some of them were silk weavers, we know that one worked for the queen, looking after horses in Royal stables, called Frances, and according to tax records, he was paid more than his white fellow workers. Mary Fillis’ father was a basket maker from Morocco, and some of them were servants.

asian migrants to england- when did they come?

EIC set up in 1600, meant more Asian migrants.

Asian migrants to England- why did they come and where did they settle?

South Asians arrived through connections with the British East India Company. Lascars (Indian sailors) settled in port cities like London, Liverpool, and Cardiff.

East India Company

a market was growing in England for Indian spices and textiles so in 1600, Queen Elizabeth I gave a charter to the EIC, allowing it to set up a base in India

Because Britain had monopoly, they had almost total control over India's trade so relations were good as the Mughals supported Britain's trade as it benefitted them too

Lascars

Indian seamen, used by the EIC to work on their trading ships

how did lascars end up in england?

- Lascars were increasingly needed by the EIC for the growing fleet of merchant ships.

- During the Napoleonic Wars British commercial sailors drafted into the Royal Navy were replaced by Lascars.

- when ships docked, some seamen remained in Britain voluntarily.

- Others were stranded by being only employed for a one-way journey.

Lascars treatment

- paid far lower wages than white sailors, and given less food and living space aboard ships.

- often suffered extreme racism as ideas of racial hierarchy grew. --> In some cases, Asian seamen rebelled against poor conditions by jumping ship. In 1882, some went on strike, refusing to work on ships transporting troops to Egypt. This was unsuccessful.

Black child servants

some black children were employed as servants for the rich and fashionable because, from the late 17th century, it was a particular mark of status and fashion for rich families to have a black child servant

Many were imported over, therefore migrated (even if involuntary)

ayahs

British families returning from India also brought Indian servants- often children- and young women as nannies (ayahs) for their own children

how did ayahs come to england/experiences?

- Some abandoned on arrival if the family employing them had only wanted their services during the sea voyage home

- Some lost their jobs when the children they looked after grew up.

- Other ayahs were dismissed when they themselves were no longer children.

asian migrants impacts

- helped to make england a cultural mixing pot- many mixed marriages- sometimes recieved racial abuse from public

- indians working all over the UK in a range of trades, including gardening and street trading

--> indian musicans also popular as entertainers

african migrants to england- when did they come?

In 1660, Charles II granted a charter to set up a trading company to Africa, which later became the Royal African Company. This gave the company a monopoly on trade with west Africa.

African migrants to England- why did they come

monopoly on slave trade at this time increased african migration

growth of african communities in britain- reasons for arrival

Got offered freedom by fighting

slave trade

how did african communities grow by freedom by fighting?

in the American war of Independence 1775-83, the british government offered freedom from enslavement to encourage black people in north america to fight on their side

but when the war was lost they had to leave new USA

some came to britain homeless because they were denied back pay and had no work

A wealthy group set up the Committee for the Relief of the Black Poor- giving out food and clothing

Many black men also joined the army in the Napoleonic wars 1803-15

how did african communities grow from the slave trade?

- Most were domestic servants- brought over from africa where they had been enslaved

- Some came to England having escaped e.g. james somerset as a child servant, hidden in London's large Black community

- Some enslaved people treated well

e.g. John Scipio- servant of an enslaver who bought him in west africa. worked for the family all his life then freed. when scipio died, his will showed he was quite rich

- Some treated badly e.g. Mary Prince, came over with her owner. although she was technically free in england, she was still tied to her owner because if she returned to antigua, she would be enslaved again

Political movements against enslavement

The Somerset Case in 1772 ruled that it was illegal to kidnap African people in Britain and transport them as enslaved people to the colonies.

Mary Prince published an autobiography- first published book in Britain written by a black woman

Huguenots and walloons- when did they come?

The Huguenots (French Protestants) and Walloons (Belgian Protestants) came to England primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries

Huguenots and Wallons- why did they come

to escape religious persecution in Catholic France and Spanish-controlled Belgium.

Huguenots and Wallons- what was their impact

- Textile Industry- In London's Spitalfields, Huguenot silk weavers contributed significantly to England's burgeoning textile industry.

--> By the early 18th century, around 13,000 Huguenots were employed in silk production.

- When the Bank of England was founded, 10% of its investments were from Huguenot

Huguenots and Wallons- were they welcomed

The reception was mixed:

They were largely welcomed by Protestants and the monarchy, who saw them as allies against Catholic Europe.

However, there was some resistance and xenophobia, particularly among local workers who feared job competition.

rhineland palatines- when did they come

early 18th century, particularly during 1709, known as the "Year of the Palatines" (because that was the year of the foreign-protestants naturalisation act)

Rhineland Palatines- why did they come

The Rhineland Palatines fled due to religious persecution, war, and economic hardship caused by repeated invasions during the War of the Spanish Succession and harsh winters.

Foreign-protestants naturalisation act

1709

allowed all European Protestants to come and live in England with full rights at the cost of only one shilling. Idea was to attract wealthy entrepreneurs and skilled craftspeople from France and Holland.

rhineland palatines- why did they come?

following foreign protestants naturalisation act

Rhineland Palatines- were they welcomed

Initially, they were welcomed due to Protestant solidarity. However, public sentiment turned hostile as their numbers swelled to 13,000 in 1709, creating fears of economic strain and competition for jobs. · Solution = deportation to Ireland: disaster as they were hated by catholic majority and given poor quality land

Rhineland Palatines- what was their impact

Agriculture and Labor: In England, some Palatines worked as agricultural laborers or craftsmen, although their long-term impact was more pronounced in the colonies. (not much to be honest)

romani gypsies- when did they come?

early 16th century

Romani gypsies- why did they come

Part of a broader migration from northern India through the Middle East and Europe. They came seeking safety and opportunities after facing persecution and displacement across the continent.

Romani gypsies- what was their impact

Cultural Contributions: They enriched England's cultural tapestry with traditions in music, dance, and storytelling, influencing folk culture and entertainment.

Economic Role: Romani people often worked as laborers, craftspeople and entertainers. (not much again)

Romani gypsies- were they welcomed

-treated with suspicion and hostility due to their nomadic lifestyle, seen as a challenge to social and economic norms.

- Laws such as the Egyptians Act 1530 criminalized their presence, forcing them to assimilate or leave.

- Persecution continued for centuries

returning jews- when did they come?

1656

Returning Jews- why did they come

Oliver Cromwell invited them back, recognising their potential economic contributions and the opportunity to strengthen England's trade and financial influence.

Returning Jews- what was their impact

They played a key role in the development of England's financial sector, contributing to banking, stockbroking, and insurance industries.

Returning Jews- were they welcomed

The initial return of Jews was relatively low-profile, and Cromwell faced opposition to their readmission. Over time, Jews faced mixed attitudes: welcomed for their economic contributions but subjected to anti-Semitism and legal restrictions. Full rights were not granted until the 19th century, with milestones like the Jewish Emancipation Act of 1858.

impact of the industrial revolution on migration

- irish and scottish migrants to england

- political movements like abolition and chartists

- eastern european jewish immigrants

Irish- why they came

Famine due to agricultural failure after 1815, worsened by the Great Potato Famine (1845-1852). Extreme poverty forced migration to survive.

Irish- were they welcomed

Generally not. Seen as competition for jobs, faced prejudice, and were regarded as responsible for spreading diseases.

Irish- impact

Worked in low-paid, unskilled jobs, especially in cities like Liverpool, Manchester, and London. Contributed to urban labor forces, infrastructure building, and cultural diversity (e.g., Catholic traditions).

Scottish- why they came

Highland Clearances (forced evictions in rural Scotland) and famine led many to seek work and better living conditions in England.

Scottish- were they welcomed

Partially. Seen as skilled workers but faced some prejudice, especially when competing for jobs.

Scottish- impact

Boosted industries such as shipbuilding, engineering, and steel. Helped with urban development, especially in cities like Manchester and Liverpool.

Italians- why they came

Famine, political instability, and rural poverty in Italy prompted migration in search of better economic opportunities.

Italians- were they welcomed

Mixed reception. Some integrated well into society, but their distinct cultural practices often isolated them initially.

Italians- impact

Many worked as artisans (e.g., plasterers, mosaic-makers) or started businesses like ice cream parlors and cafes. Contributed to England's food and cultural industries (e.g., Italian cuisine influence).

Germans- why they came

Seeking economic opportunities.

Germans- were they welcomed

Generally positive reception, especially due to their skills and trades. However, faced suspicion during World War periods.

Germans- impact

Skilled in areas such as baking, brewing, and engineering. German-owned businesses, like breweries, became prominent, especially in urban areas.

Eastern European Jews- why they came

Escaping persecution (e.g., pogroms in the Russian Empire) and seeking safety.

Eastern European Jews- were they welcomed

Mixed. They were welcomed as a workforce but faced anti-Semitism and poor working/living conditions in East London.

Eastern European Jews- impact

Contributed to small trades like tailoring, shoemaking, and street markets. Strengthened the Jewish community in London, shaping its cultural and economic identity.

The abolition movement

In 1807, parliament passed a law making the slave trade illegal. This was in large part a response to the revolution by enslaved Africans in the French colony of Haiti.

In 1833 the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, abolishing slavery in Britain and the Americas

Emancipation came in 1838.

The Chartist movement, and how it links to migrants

- biggest organised mass protest of the mid 19th century, calling for major reform in the political system

- more than 3 million people signed a petition calling fo the right to vote for all men (justice for working class) and for secret ballots in elections

KEY MIGRANT:

William Cuffay

- son of a previously enslaved sailor

- leading organiser of the chartist movement in london

- in 1848 arrested and sent to tasmania for the rest of his life

what were the two options for foreign immigrants wanting citizenship?

denization

naturalisation

denization

This was granted by a letter from the king or queen after the person swore allegiance to the Crown

naturalisation

This was decided by an act of Parliament

naturalisation act

1870

It was mainly denization until the Naturalisation Act, which allowed this process to be more common.

Also made it possible for people to give up British citizenship and ruled that British women who married foreign men would lose their citizenship