Scots and British Empire + Migration

week...something

Bulk of imperial possessions in

North America

Seven Years War

Curb growing power of Prussia under Frederick the Great, allowed to claim Florida/Mississippi from Spanish Empire, beginnings of some expansion in India

Impact of Seven Years War (1756-63)

Disproportionate recruitment of Scots (1/3), beginnings of Highland recruitment and Highland regiments

Significant service of Scots in forces of the East India Company

¼ of EIC corps

Tobacco trade prominence

in Glasgow!

Scottish presence in Americas and India

Governor of Virginia (absentee) 1698-1737

Economic impact of Imperial Scotland

Lucrative imperial trade (esp tobacco), capital injections, economic development

Social impact of Imperial Scotland

Built environment, landholding patterns, demographics, changing view of Highlands

Linda Colley and ‘Britishness’

Empire served to help create a new sense of shared Britishness

Tom Devine and ‘Scottishness’

Distinctive sense of Scottish identity largely survived influence of Empire

Colin Kidd and ‘North Britishness’

Persistence of Scottish identity, but linked to a highly Anglicising agenda

Push factors for Scotland c.1680-1760

Fairly modest population growth, lack of arable agriculture, not many opportunities for highly educated individuals, repressive Episcopalian church system

Pull factors for England

Economic vibrancy —> skilled or professional migrants

Pull factors in Ireland

Availability of land —> small farmers and farm servants

Pull factors for North America

Commercial opportunities —> merchants and associated groups