6. emigrant scots country facts

LEARNING INTENTIONS

• Describe the impact of emigrant Scots in:

• Canada

• The USA

• Australia

• New Zealand

• India

The Scots emigrated to many countries around the world,

but especially those with British Empire links (including the

USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India).

Canada

Scots named towns after

areas of Scotland, and also

set up their own Church of

Scotland branches.

Scots set up McGill

University and Canada’s

first Prime Minister (John A.

MacDonald) was a Scot.

Scots helped create the

Canadian Pacific Railroad (funding the project and

building it too).

The Hudson’s Bay Company

dominated the fur trade,

and it was mainly Scots

involved in this (especially

those from Orkney).

The USA

Scots spread religion by

setting up churches in

different areas.

Scots took farming skills

and set up their own farms

across the country. They

also used mining skills in

areas such as California.

Many Scots set up

extremely successful

businesses.

Andrew Carnegie’s steel

company made him the

richest man in the world.

Robert Dollar owned a

major shipping company

and David Buick founded

the famous car firm.

Australia

Scots set up Australia’s

sheep farming industry,

including introducing the

merino sheep.

Scots were heavily involved

in politics; Andrew Fisher

from Ayrshire became

Australian Prime Minister.

Schools and churches were

set up by Scots across

Australia, spreading the

English language and

Christian faith.

Scots set up various

businesses, including banks,

shipping and sugar and

wine businesses.

New Zealand

Scots set up churches

across New Zealand, and

also named towns after

places in their homeland.

Many Scots were involved

in setting up educational

establishments, including

Otago University.

Some Scots were involved

in politics. Peter Fraser was

the NZ Prime Minister in the

1940s.

Other Scots influenced

business, including using

their farming skills or setting

up businesses. This included

banks and the paper-

making industry.

India

Many Scots were a key part

of the Empire and involved in

running India’s government,

including working as

governors or members of the

civil service.

Other Scots set up churches

to spread the Church of

Scotland faith.

Scots worked in trading

companies to buy goods such as

tea and jute, including the East

India Company.

Other Scots improved education

by setting up schools and also

the University of Calcutta.

Some Scots were soldiers and

stationed in India.