Irish migration to Britain in the 19th century
I can recall that many Irish people migrated to Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries, and that they experienced significant discrimination.
Irish migration to Britain in the 19th century
I can recall that many Irish people migrated to Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries, and that they experienced significant discrimination.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- In the 19th century there was significant migration from Ireland to Britain.
- The Potato Famine and the availability of jobs in Britain were key reasons for migration from Ireland.
- The early experiences of Irish immigration were discrimination and xenophobia.
- In 1922 Ireland was partitioned into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State, the latter an independent republic.
- The partition of Ireland led to a legacy of violence between unionists and republicans.
Keywords
Famine - an extreme scarcity of food
Migrant - someone who moves from one country to another
Partition - to divide into parts
Common misconception
All those in Northern Ireland were Protestant and all those elsewhere in Ireland were Catholic.
Ireland was predominantly Catholic but there was a population in the north who were predominantly Protestant, who remained part of the UK as Northern Ireland after partition.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What elements make up a source's provenance?
Q2.Complete the sentence: Some historians argue that the expansion of empire had some impacts, particularly in Africa.
Q3.Complete the sentence: An is the process by which we analyse and explain past events.
Q4.Which of the following examples would a historian who is presenting a positive view of empire point to?
Q5.Put the following time periods in chronological order.
Q6.Which word describes the movement of people into a new area or country?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes an extreme scarcity of food?
Q2.Which word describes 'to divide something into parts'?
Q3.Which of the following were key reasons for Irish migration to Britain?
Q4.Which word best describes Irish migrants early experiences in Britain?
Q5.Complete the sentence: Irish migrants were unfairly stigmatised and blamed for social problems like ...
Q6.Match the correct description to the terms.
Northern Ireland, mainly Protestant, supported union with Britain
Irish Free State, mainly Catholic, supported a united Ireland