Migrants: Experience (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes

Migrant experiences in c1700-c1900 Britain

Living conditions and opportunities

Between 1700 and 1900, most migrants made their homes in Britain's busy industrial towns and cities. While these urban areas often had problems with dirt, disease, and high death rates, the Industrial Revolution created many new work opportunities that attracted people from across the world.

Different migrant groups and their experiences

Irish migrants

Irish people formed one of the largest migrant groups during this period. Most settled in Britain's growing industrial cities where they could find work that matched their skills.

Many Irish migrants took on tough physical jobs in factories, helping to power Britain's industrial growth. Irish workers, known as navvies, also played a crucial role in building Britain's canal and railway systems. This construction work was extremely hard, dirty, and dangerous, and many workers were injured or killed on the job. The dangerous conditions often left Irish families struggling with poverty.

Anti-Irish feelings were so strong that some English people supported violent campaigns, including bombings in London and other cities during the 1860s, carried out by Irish independence groups.

Jewish migrants

Jewish migrants often chose to settle in areas where Jewish communities already existed, providing them with support and helping them find work. Many new Jewish arrivals found employment in the growing clothing industry.

However, Jewish migrants faced antisemitism from some parts of British society. People sometimes discriminated against them because of differences in their clothing, language, and religious practices. Many English people viewed Jewish migrants with suspicion and treated them as outsiders because they seemed different.

European migrants

European migrants, particularly Germans and Italians, spread throughout Britain and established various types of businesses.

Italian migrants often settled in London, where many opened small businesses like shops and restaurants. Some continued working in the same trades they had practised in Italy, such as making and selling ice cream or working as street musicians. Other Italians learned new skills in Britain, including making and selling sweet treats.

German migrants included engineers and scientists who established successful companies. For example, the Brunner-Mond company was set up in Liverpool by German entrepreneurs. Because German and Italian migrants contributed significantly to Britain's economy through their businesses and skills, they were generally well-regarded by British society.

Asian migrants: ayahs and lascars

Asian migrants faced some of the most difficult challenges of any group coming to Britain during this period.

Many ayahs (female servants) stayed with British families when those families moved to England. However, when the families later returned to India or moved elsewhere, the ayahs were often left behind without work or support. Some became homeless and destitute. A Christian charity recognised this problem and set up a hostel in London where abandoned ayahs could get help and sometimes find passage back to India or new employment in England.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 made travel between India and Britain much faster and cheaper, which increased opportunities for Asian people to migrate to Britain.

The role of the media in shaping attitudes

Newspapers played a powerful role in influencing how British people thought about migrants during this period.

The media helped end slavery in Britain by publicising the 1772 judgement of Lord Justice Mansfield, who ruled that slavery "did not legally exist in England." This legal decision gave hope to many Black Africans living in Britain and those who opposed slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The widespread newspaper coverage helped turn public opinion against these practices.

Newspapers also helped change attitudes towards migrants by sharing positive stories. They published articles about Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse who cared for soldiers during the Crimean War. When she faced financial difficulties, newspapers covered a fundraising event held in 1858 that raised substantial money due to the positive publicity she received.

The rail network ensured that newspapers could be distributed quickly across the entire country, meaning that whatever stories they printed reached a wide audience and could influence public opinion nationwide.

Timeline of key events

• 1772: Lord Justice Mansfield ruled that slavery was illegal in England
• 1851: Paul Reuter established Reuters News Agency in London
• 1858: Fundraising gala held for Mary Seacole received positive newspaper coverage
• 1860s: Anti-Irish bombing campaigns in London and other cities
• 1869: Suez Canal opened, making travel between India and Britain faster

Remember!