Amid the uproar about refugees and migrants trying to make their way to the U.K., it’s easy to forget that the British Isles also have a long history of outward migration. The British diaspora has had a profound influence on countries around the globe, from the United States to New Zealand, and beyond.
Understanding how these migrants made their homes and shaped their surroundings can add some much-needed context to the debates we have about migration today—whether we’re talking about international students, economic migrants, or refugees who are fleeing conflict.
Heading Stateside
Initially, the United States attracted a large number of immigrant agriculturalists, most of whom were farmers who wanted to escape the agricultural depression in Britain. But once the American Civil War had ended, migrants began to pursue industrial and urban opportunities. From the mid-19th century, most migrants from England and Scotland who made their way to North America settled in the industrial north-east.
Compared to migrant groups from elsewhere in Europe, British migrants were relatively highly-skilled, especially in certain up and coming industries in the United States, such as textile or steel. British migrants undoubtedly were a great boon to American cities and these industries. New York State’s early industries, especially iron, showcased the skills of English workers and the technical know-how of foremen or overseers, who brought valuable experience from working in factories back home.
Meanwhile, in New York City, immigrant workers from the British Isles were breaking into the printing industry. The textile industries of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania relied heavily on them too, and both English and Scottish workers also prospered in metallurgical trades.
But skills weren’t the only thing that the British diaspora contributed to: it also brought with it a particular set of beliefs and traditions. Urban growth facilitated the integration of the old British “homeland” culture into the relatively new American society. For example, English migrants played a major role in the establishment of trade unionism in the United States, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s working world: the American Federation of Labor was co-founded, and then presided over for many years, by Englishman Samuel Gompers.
Sharing Is Caring
British migrants to North America also established a number of ethnic clubs and societies, which historically fulfilled a wide range of civic roles. Ethnic associations, such as the St. Andrew’s or St. George’s societies, were a key means for migrants to link up with other members of the diaspora. They provided opportunities to form bonds of friendship, business, and even marriage. Before social media, they provided some of the most effective networks.
Of course, not all migrants choose to join an ethnic association. But the reach of these organizations was wider than traditional studies suggest. This is because ethnic associations are not simply about celebrating a group’s culture or reminiscing about the past—although they did do that too, with traditional dinners and other festivities, which continue to this day.
