Industrial Britain (1700–1900) key terms

1871 Census Evidence

The first census to prove that the Irish were the largest migrant group in Britain, making up roughly 3% of the total population.

Lascars & Ayahs

Asian sailors (Lascars) and nannies (Ayahs) who arrived via the East India Company; by 1850, 10,000+ Lascars were living in 'Lascars' Academies' (lodging houses) in port cities.

Liverpool Case Study

Known as the 'gateway to the world'; it had the first 'Little Italy' and largest Irish community, but also high sectarian tension between Catholics and Protestants.

Russian Pogroms (1881-1914)

Violent anti-Semitic riots in Russia that 'pushed' 120,000+ Jews to Britain; they settled in enclaves like the East End (Whitechapel) to be near synagogues and kosher food.

Sweated Trades

Low-wage industries (tailoring, shoemaking, cabinet-making) dominated by Jewish migrants; it led to the 1888 Select Committee on the Sweating System.

The Great Famine (1845-52)

The primary 'push' factor for 1.5 million Irish migrants; they often arrived at Liverpool's Clarence Dock in a state of 'pauperism', leading to the 1847 Poor Law Amendment Act.

Transatlantic Slavery Impact

Created a Black population in 18th-century London of roughly 10,000-15,000; many worked as servants or sailors and led the abolition movement (e.g., Olaudah Equiano).