Source A reveals that some Scots emigrated abroad due to opportunities provided by the Empire Settlement Act, which subsidized passage to places like Canada and offered training. It also notes that some left Scotland to escape unemployment after WWI or pursue opportunities for independent land ownership abroad.
Source B describes how landowners in Scotland forced tenant farmers, or crofters, off their land by turning to more profitable sheep farming. As a result, landowners encouraged emigration to remove the excess population and make their estates profitable, in some cases even paying passage costs.
However, the sources do not mention other factors like agents being sent from countries like Canada to recruit Scots immigrants by promoting opportunities available abroad.
2. Source Contextualisation: ‘How much..?’
In 1923, 600 Hebrideans took advantage of the year-old Empire Settlement Act to secure passage to
Canada. They embarked on two Canadian Pacific liners at Lochboisdale and Stornoway. The
unprecedented subsidised state funding also encouraged lowland workers to emigrate. This provided
opportunity to escape from the depression and unemployment that blighted the heavy industries of
the Central Belt after the First World War. Rural lowlanders had been attracted to Canada precisely
because it offered the prospect of changing from tenancy to independent ownership, as for the
price of a year’s rent, a farm of good quality could be purchased, in direct contrast to the
erosion of farming opportunities at home. The land could then be passed on to their children.
They anticipated that such a step would bring economic betterment.
Source B is from Simon Wood, Migration & Empire (2011)
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the reasons why so many Scots
emigrated abroad. 10 marks
Famine placed huge pressures on the financial resources of the landowners. Most of the relief funds that
were offered to the starving highlanders came out of the landowners pockets. Many landowners such as
McLeod and McLeod went bankrupt as a result. It was soon discovered that crofters were not profitable
and they had to turn to sheep, to feed the growing cities and eventually to deer hunting reserves. In
order to do this land had to be cleared of the existing tenant farmers. Eventually all land owners turned
to emigration as a way to remove the excess land population and try to make their estates profitable.
Often the landowner paid the costs of crofters travelling from Scotland to the colonies. An example of
this was James Matheson who paid for people to leave the land and even cancel debts that were owed to
him.
Source A: from Marjory Harper, Crossing borders: Scottish emigration to Canada (2006)
3. SOURCE CONTEXTUALISATION:
APPROACH
‘How much do sources…?’
• This will be worth 10 marks.
• Candidates must interpret the view of each source and use recalled knowledge to assess
what the sources reveal about differing interpretations of an historical issue.
• Up to 6 marks are available (3 marks per source) for interpreting the viewpoints of the
sources. This includes up to 2 marks available for interpreting the overall viewpoint of
each source,
• Up to 6 marks are available for developing points from either source with relevant recall /
providing relevant recall that is related to the question to set the sources within their
historical context.
4. Specimen answer (10 marks)
• Read the question, then the source.
• Using the words of the question, start your answer by making your judgement
on the source, e.g. ‘Source A partly reveals the differing interpretations of
reasons why Scots emigrated abroad…’
• Then write what the first source’s overall viewpoint may be on the matter
concerned by the question.
• Make up to THREE points from the first source. For each one, “quote the
source” and then explain the significance of your point, relating it back to the
question.
• Repeat these steps for the second source. You should draw SIX points from
the sources overall, but it doesn’t matter how these are divided up - it could be
3+3 or 4+2.
• Then include up to SIX points of relevant recall on the overall matter featured
in the question. Be careful to explain the significance of each point and then
relate it back to the question.
• Best practice is to take a new paragraph for each point you make.
5. Empire Settlement Act, 1922
• The Empire Settlement Act of 1922 was an agreement between
the British government and several commonwealth countries
designed to facilitate the resettlement of agriculturalists, farm
labourers, domestics and juvenile immigrants throughout the
Empire. In Canada, several different settlement schemes were
developed in which potential immigrants were offered
assistance with transportation costs and skill-specific training
as incentives for settlement.
6. Finding 3 relevant points from source A:
Task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in the source which relate to
the question.
In 1923, 600 Hebrideans took advantage of the year-old Empire Settlement Act to secure
passage to Canada. They embarked on two Canadian Pacific liners at Lochboisdale and
Stornoway. The unprecedented subsidised state funding also encouraged lowland workers to
emigrate. This provided opportunity to escape from the depression and unemployment
that blighted the heavy industries of the Central Belt after the First World War. Rural
lowlanders had been attracted to Canada precisely because it offered the prospect of
changing from tenancy to independent ownership, as for the price of a year’s rent, a
farm of good quality could be purchased, in direct contrast to the erosion of farming
opportunities at home. The land could then be passed on to their children. They
anticipated that such a step would bring economic betterment.
Source A: from Marjory Harper, Crossing borders: Scottish emigration to
Canada (2006)
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad. 10 marks
7. Finding 3 relevant points from source A:
Task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in the source which relate to
the question.
In 1923, 600 Hebrideans took advantage of the year-old Empire Settlement Act to secure
passage to Canada. They embarked on two Canadian Pacific liners at Lochboisdale and
Stornoway. The unprecedented subsidised state funding also encouraged lowland workers to
emigrate. This provided opportunity to escape from the depression and unemployment
that blighted the heavy industries of the Central Belt after the First World War. Rural
lowlanders had been attracted to Canada precisely because it offered the prospect of
changing from tenancy to independent ownership, as for the price of a year’s rent, a
farm of good quality could be purchased, in direct contrast to the erosion of farming
opportunities at home. The land could then be passed on to their children. They
anticipated that such a step would bring economic betterment.
Source A is from G.W.S. Barrow, Kingship and unity, Scotland 1000-1306, (1981).
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad. 10 marks
8. Finding 3 relevant points from source A:
Task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in the source which relate to
the question.
In 1923, 600 Hebrideans took advantage of the year-old Empire Settlement Act to secure
passage to Canada. They embarked on two Canadian Pacific liners at Lochboisdale and
Stornoway. The unprecedented subsidised state funding also encouraged lowland workers to
emigrate. This provided opportunity to escape from the depression and unemployment
that blighted the heavy industries of the Central Belt after the First World War. Rural
lowlanders had been attracted to Canada precisely because it offered the prospect of
changing from tenancy to independent ownership, as for the price of a year’s rent, a
farm of good quality could be purchased, in direct contrast to the erosion of farming
opportunities at home. The land could then be passed on to their children. They
anticipated that such a step would bring economic betterment.
Source A is from G.W.S. Barrow, Kingship and unity, Scotland 1000-1306, (1981).
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad. 10 marks
9. Finding 3 relevant points from source A:
Task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in the source which relate to
the question.
In 1923, 600 Hebrideans took advantage of the year-old Empire Settlement Act to secure
passage to Canada. They embarked on two Canadian Pacific liners at Lochboisdale and
Stornoway. The unprecedented subsidised state funding also encouraged lowland workers to
emigrate. This provided opportunity to escape from the depression and unemployment
that blighted the heavy industries of the Central Belt after the First World War. Rural
lowlanders had been attracted to Canada precisely because it offered the prospect of
changing from tenancy to independent ownership, as for the price of a year’s rent, a
farm of good quality could be purchased, in direct contrast to the erosion of farming
opportunities at home. The land could then be passed on to their children. They
anticipated that such a step would bring economic betterment.
Source A is from G.W.S. Barrow, Kingship and unity, Scotland 1000-1306, (1981).
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad. 10 marks
10. Use this to build answer…
Source A partly describes some of the differing interpretations of the reasons
why Scots emigrated abroad.
(Judgement made).
Overall, source A’s view is that Scots had better opportunities in countries like
Canada than they did in Scotland so they moved to achieve these.
(1 mark for overall viewpoint on Source A)
The source tells us that “In 1923, 600 Hebrideans took advantage of the year-
old Empire Settlement Act to secure passage to Canada”. This shows us one of
the main reasons why Scots moved is because they were encouraged by the
government and helped with transport. This meant that farmers and domestics
were supported to make the journey and even were offered training and new
opportunities when they arrived in new countries like Canada.
(1st mark for source content)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
11. Source A also tells us that ‘This provided opportunity to escape from the
depression and unemployment that blighted the heavy industries of
the Central Belt after the First World War’ This shows us another reason
why Scots wanted to leave Scotland. Due to the lack of opportunities and
jobs available in Scotland people wanted to go and find well paid work.
(2nd mark for source content)
Source A also tells us that the ‘Rural lowlanders had been attracted to
Canada precisely because it offered the prospect of changing from
tenancy to independent ownership, as for the price of a year’s rent, a
farm of good quality could be purchased’. This shows us another benefit
of Canada over Scotland. Most workers in Scotland could not afford land,
but if they moved abroad this became a possibility they could never achieve
back home.
(3rd mark for source content)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
12. Next, find 3 relevant points from source B:
Next task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in source B which relate
to the question.
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad? 10 marks
Source B is from Simon Wood, Migration & Empire (2011)
Famine placed huge pressures on the financial resources of the landowners. Most of
the relief funds that were offered to the starving highlanders came out of the
landowners pockets. Many landowners such as McLeod and McLeod went bankrupt
as a result. It was soon discovered that crofters were not profitable and they had to
turn to sheep, to feed the growing cities and eventually to deer hunting reserves. In
order to do this land had to be cleared of the existing tenant farmers. Eventually all
land owners turned to emigration as a way to remove the excess land population and
try to make their estates profitable. Often the landowner paid the costs of crofters
travelling from Scotland to the colonies. An example of this was James Matheson who
paid for people to leave the land and even cancel debts that were owed to him.
13. Next, find 3 relevant points from source B:
Next task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in source B which relate
to the question.
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad? 10 marks
Source B is from Simon Wood, Migration & Empire (2011)
Famine placed huge pressures on the financial resources of the landowners. Most of
the relief funds that were offered to the starving highlanders came out of the
landowners pockets. Many landowners such as McLeod and McLeod went bankrupt
as a result. It was soon discovered that crofters were not profitable and they had to
turn to sheep, to feed the growing cities and eventually to deer hunting reserves. In
order to do this land had to be cleared of the existing tenant farmers. Eventually all
land owners turned to emigration as a way to remove the excess land population and
try to make their estates profitable. Often the landowner paid the costs of crofters
travelling from Scotland to the colonies. An example of this was James Matheson who
paid for people to leave the land and even cancel debts that were owed to him.
14. Next, find 3 relevant points from source B:
Next task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in source B which relate
to the question.
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad? 10 marks
Source B is from Simon Wood, Migration & Empire (2011)
Famine placed huge pressures on the financial resources of the landowners. Most of
the relief funds that were offered to the starving highlanders came out of the
landowners pockets. Many landowners such as McLeod and McLeod went bankrupt
as a result. It was soon discovered that crofters were not profitable and they had to
turn to sheep, to feed the growing cities and eventually to deer hunting reserves. In
order to do this land had to be cleared of the existing tenant farmers. Eventually all
land owners turned to emigration as a way to remove the excess land population
and try to make their estates profitable. Often the landowner paid the costs of
crofters travelling from Scotland to the colonies. An example of this was James
Matheson who paid for people to leave the land and even cancel debts that were
owed to him.
15. Next, find 3 relevant points from source B:
Next task: highlight or underline THREE pieces of evidence in source B which relate
to the question.
Q1. How much do Sources A and B reveal about the differing interpretations of the
reasons why so many Scots emigrated abroad? 10 marks
Source B is from Simon Wood, Migration & Empire (2011)
Famine placed huge pressures on the financial resources of the landowners. Most of
the relief funds that were offered to the starving highlanders came out of the
landowners pockets. Many landowners such as McLeod and McLeod went bankrupt
as a result. It was soon discovered that crofters were not profitable and they had to
turn to sheep, to feed the growing cities and eventually to deer hunting reserves. In
order to do this land had to be cleared of the existing tenant farmers. Eventually all
land owners turned to emigration as a way to remove the excess land population
and try to make their estates profitable. Often the landowner paid the costs of
crofters travelling from Scotland to the colonies. An example of this was James
Matheson who paid for people to leave the land and even cancel debts that were
owed to him.
16. Use this to continue the specimen answer…
Source B partly describes some of the differing interpretations of the reasons why
Scots emigrated abroad
(Judgement made).
Overall, source B’s view is that Landlords forced people from their homes due to a
lack of profit and encouraged people to emigrate to get them off the land.
(1 mark for overall viewpoint on Source B)
The source tells us that “It was soon discovered that crofters were not profitable and
they had to turn to sheep, to feed the growing cities and eventually to deer hunting
reserves”. This shows us one of the key reasons why Scots moved is they were forced
by landowners. Many Scots were evicted from their farms in the highlands to make
way for more profitable products and moved abroad as a result.
(4th mark for source content)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
17. Source B also tells us that “In order to do this land had to be cleared of the
existing tenant farmers. Eventually all land owners turned to emigration as a way
to remove the excess land population and try to make their estates profitable”.
This shows us that landowners encouraged Scots to move abroad to get them off
the land. There were too many crofters and not enough land to be distributed so
they tried to clear as many of the crofters as possible.
(5th mark for source content)
Source B also tells us that “often the landowner paid the costs of crofters
travelling from Scotland to the colonies. An example of this was James Matheson
who paid for people to leave the land and even cancel debts that were owed to
him.” This shows us a way that they got people to leave. Farmers who had debts
were allowed to move away freely and some even got their tickets paid for to
encourage them to get off the land.
(6th mark for source content)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
18. However the source fails to reveal important points about the differing
interpretations of the reasons why Scots emigrated abroad. (Judgement made
again…)
The sources fails to tell us that agents were sent from countries like Canada to
encourage Scots to move . This was a key reason why many Scots moved as they
were told all of the benefits that awaited them and offered jobs and good pay which
was more opportunity than they had at home.
(1st mark for ‘recall’)
The sources fails to tell us that Letters home from relatives and friends who had
already emigrated describing the attractions of colonial life encouraged more to
move. This was a key reason why Scots emigrated because other Scots had been
successful and were telling them all the benefits so they knew that if they moved
they too could have the same opportunities.
(2nd mark for ‘recall’)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
19. The sources fails to tell us that Scots were encouraged to emigrate in search of
gaining quick wealth as a result of the discovery of gold. This was another reason
why Scots moved as the discovery of gold in Australia and America meant some
were able to get rich quick and achieve a better standard of life than in Scotland.
(3rd mark for ‘recall’)
The sources fails to tell us that countries overseas offered a pleasant climate which
contrasted with the wet weather, hardships and poor living of the Highlands. This
was a key reason why many moved as the appeal of living abroad in nice weather
was much greater than the hard working conditions and dreary conditions of
Northern Scotland.
(4th mark for ‘recall’)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
20. The sources fails to tell us that Guidebooks to help emigrants, such as
‘Hints on Emigration to Upper Canada’ were also produced along with
posters with information and encouragement for potential Scottish
emigrants. This was another reason why Scots emigrated as they could
see the opportunities that existed abroad and had read about how
better their life could be. (5th mark for ‘recall’)
The sources fails to tell us that some Scots were forced to move
abroad due to prison sentences in Australia. This was a reason why
some Scots ended up emigrating as once they were released they
would often stay in the better climate and to start a fresh life, they
would often bring their family over with them (6th mark for ‘recall’)
Key:
Point from source link back to question explanation of relevance/meaning
21. Specimen answer checklist:
• Judgement made (allows us to get a passing mark for the question).
• Overall judgement on source A = 1 mark
• Source points from source A = 2 marks
• Overall judgement on source B = 1 mark
• Source points from source B = 2 marks
• Source marks = 6/6
• Recall points = 4 marks
• Remember however, in the exam we only need to write enough to earn 10
marks. How you split this up is down to you, but there must be enough
given to earn the full 10 marks available. Be careful not to sell yourself
short!
22. Specimen answer checklist:
• Judgement made (allows us to get a passing mark for the question).
• Overall judgement on source A = 1 mark
• Source points from source A = 2 marks
• Overall judgement on source B = 1 mark
• Source points from source B = 2 marks
• Source marks = 6/6
• Recall points = 4 marks
• Remember however, in the exam we only need to write enough to earn 10
marks. How you split this up is down to you, but there must be enough
given to earn the full 10 marks available. Be careful not to sell yourself
short!
23. How Much - Revision
• Create your own How Much Question (10) from an essay topic
we have covered (Example – reason for growth of democracy)
You need - two detailed sources
- marking scheme
How much do sources A & B reveal about the different
interpretations of _____________________________? (10)
24. Source A
The industrial revolution also demanded a more efficient transport system and the development of
railways led to a national network of rapid and reliable communications. A great example is PM William
Gladstone taking advantage of the railway system to canvass Liberal support in Scotland as he toured
Midlothian – known as the ‘Midlothian Campaign’. Thousands flocked to see him deliver speeches and this
is considered the first modern political campaign. Gladstone became MP for Midlothian in the General
Election of 1880, wrestling the seat back from the Conservatives and this proves the railways were an
important feature of modern democracy. Furthermore, newspapers could be printed and transported all
over the country also helped develop a national political consciousness that simply did not exist prior to
industrialisation
Source B
Pressure groups such as the Reform Union and Reform League, and demonstrations such as one of
100,000 people in Glasgow certainly helped persuade politicians of the need to consider reform. The
historian Royden Harrison believed it was a combination of pressure groups, the growing respectability of
artisans (skilled workers) and the fear of disturbances or revolution which prompted reform in the 1860s.
He wrote that the working classes had reached a point where ‘it was safe to concede its enfranchisement
and dangerous to withhold it.’ He believed a revolutionary spirit existed in 1860s Britain created by a trade
depression, which spread unemployment and a cholera epidemic which spread fear. He also argued that
the Hyde Park Riots of July 1866 and the Reform League’s campaign all pressured parliament to make
change
How much do sources A & B reveal about the different interpretations of the reasons why Britain became
more democratic between 1851-1928? (10)
25.
26. Extension – no words poster
Put the title –
Reasons why Scots emigrated from the Highlands and
Lowlands.
These are the only words you are allowed on your poster, you
have to draw different images that show the reasons why Scots
left their homeland. This needs to be creative as others will try
work out the reasons from your drawings alone.