2. In today’s class I am learning to:
• Describe the experiences of Italian
immigrants in Scotland
• Explain why some Scots supported or
opposed Italian immigration
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
3. Italians made up a relatively small group of
immigrants to Scotland during the 1800s and early
1900s, however their influence is still evident today.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
5. • Most Italians that came to Scotland
were trying to escape from extreme
poverty in Italy, especially in the
South
• Farm workers faced problems such as
famine and drought, again forcing
them to find a new life elsewhere.
• Other Italians left because they felt
taxes were too high in their country,
again forcing them to live in poverty.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
6. • For many Italian
immigrants, Scotland was
not their final
destination; instead they
hoped to go to the USA.
• Travelling to America was
long and expensive so
some Italians used
Scotland as a stopping
point before the US.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
8. • Most Italians from Italy
tended to settle where there
were already Italians.
• Glasgow was the most
common destination in
Scotland; by World War One
the city had the third biggest
Italian community in the UK.
• Some Italians moved to other
cities like Edinburgh and
some moved to coastal towns
(such as Ayr and Largs) where
they opened businesses.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
10. • Although many Italians had
worked as farmers in Italy, few
of them did so after moving to
Scotland.
• Some Italians made money by
selling religious statues, going
door-to-door or to Catholic
churches to do so.
• Many Italians sold chips and
ice cream from street
barrows; they were called
‘hokey pokey’ men due to
their sales shouts
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
11. • Over time the Italian
immigrants opened more
formal sales locations such as
shops, cafes and restaurants.
• Italian shops were often
grocers, selling a range of
products. Italian cafes sold ice
cream and also fish and
chips.
• Many of these still exist today
like Nardini’s in Largs or
Crolla’s in Glasgow
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
14. • Italian immigrants tended to live in
the same type of housing as other
immigrants to Scotland.
• This usually took them to the
poorest areas of the towns and
cities to which they moved, leading
to problems of overcrowding and
poor sanitation.
• As their businesses became more
successful, Italians were able to
afford to move to areas with better
housing, such as the West End or
Southside of Glasgow
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
16. • Italian immigrants to Scotland kept
a strong link to their homeland –
living close to other Italians and
continuing to speak Italian at home
• Inter-marriage was encouraged
within the Italian community,
partly linked to the very long hours
which many Italians worked.
• They were also urged to buy
products from and support Italian
businesses in their areas.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
17. • Italian immigrants to Scotland
set up groups to promote
Italian culture like Casa
D’Italia, which offered
services such as Italian
lessons for children and even
business loans to help
Italians start their own
companies.
• Most Italian immigrants were
Catholic, and the Catholic
Church was usually an
important part of their lives.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
19. Historians generally believe that
Italians did not meet a negative
reception from most Scots
because
They came in lower numbers than
other groups i.e. Irish Catholics
They tended to set up their own
businesses so they were not
accused of stealing jobs
Scottish people enjoyed the cafes,
ice cream and chip shops they set
up - these were also an alternative
to drinking alcohol/ the pub
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
20. However , there were some negative views
of Italians
Some religious Scots disliked the fact
that these businesses opened on a
Sunday.
Italians sometimes faced criticism
because it was believed they did not
integrate with Scots and socialised
within their own communities
WWII created tension too – Italy sided
with Nazi Germany meaning some
Italians were attacked in the street or
interned (held without trial)
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians
