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Migration in Britain, c1700 to c1900
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The Industrial Revolution, the Empire and the slave trade shaped who came to Britain, and how they were treated.
Context and migrants
Industrialisation and urbanisation created jobs in cities.
Britain's Empire and its role in transatlantic slavery brought Black and Asian people to Britain, including servants, sailors (Indian sailors were called lascars) and ayahs (Indian nannies). Olaudah Equiano, a formerly enslaved man, campaigned against the slave trade.
The slave trade was abolished in 1807 and slavery in the British Empire in 1833.
Britain's Empire and its role in transatlantic slavery brought Black and Asian people to Britain, including servants, sailors (Indian sailors were called lascars) and ayahs (Indian nannies). Olaudah Equiano, a formerly enslaved man, campaigned against the slave trade.
The slave trade was abolished in 1807 and slavery in the British Empire in 1833.
Case study: Liverpool
Liverpool was a leading port in the transatlantic slave trade in the 1700s, and later a gateway for millions of emigrants sailing to America.
Many Irish migrants arrived, especially during the Great Famine (1845 to 1849). Many lived in crowded cellars and courts and worked at the docks or as labourers. They faced anti-Catholic prejudice and newspaper stereotypes.
Many Irish migrants arrived, especially during the Great Famine (1845 to 1849). Many lived in crowded cellars and courts and worked at the docks or as labourers. They faced anti-Catholic prejudice and newspaper stereotypes.
Case study: Jewish East End
From the 1880s, Jewish people fled pogroms (violent attacks) in the Russian Empire. Many settled in the East End of London, around Whitechapel.
Many worked in tailoring in small workshops called sweatshops. They built synagogues, schools and welfare groups.
They faced hostility and campaigns against 'aliens', which led to the Aliens Act (1905).
Many worked in tailoring in small workshops called sweatshops. They built synagogues, schools and welfare groups.
They faced hostility and campaigns against 'aliens', which led to the Aliens Act (1905).
Explain why many Irish migrants came to Liverpool in the 1840s.
- The Great Famine from 1845 caused starvation in Ireland.
- Liverpool was the nearest large port and had work at the docks.
- Some stayed while others moved on to America.
Answer: The Famine pushed them out; Liverpool's port and jobs pulled them in.
Industry, Empire and slavery shaped migration. Lascars, ayahs, Equiano. Abolition 1807 and 1833. Liverpool: slave trade port, Irish after the Famine (1845 to 49). Jewish migrants in the East End from the 1880s, leading to the Aliens Act 1905.
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