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Sample Student
final answers 2013 (2013 final exam assignment) #1: Research Reports |
LITR 4333
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Tracie Estrada
06 Dec 2013
Who are the Ulster Scots?
In modern America the focus of immigration usually pertains
to individual families and occasionally on a specific group of people. When
there is a mass exodus a people from the same country it tends to draw attention
as to the reason why and the implication those people will have to their new
port of harbor. The Scotch-Irish are people such as this, and as a large group
they have come to this country in waves. In order to understand the purpose of
this migration of people we need to examine the contributing historical factors
from their home country which contribute to their exit. The term “Scotch-Irish”
is thrown around a lot without much contemplation on what it means.
Consequently, this paper will examine the definition of “Scots-Irish”, the
historical background of both Scotland and England, cause of immigration to
Ulster, and then the immigration to America.
The arrival of the Scots-Irish did not happen overnight, and
it originated with the mixture and immigration of several cultures, Scottish,
English, and Irish. The country of Scotland is divided into two separate
regions, Highlands and Lowlands which are separated by a wall. According to Dr.
White’s website, “Hadrian’s Wall” was built by the Romans in order to keep the
“wild men out of the civilized area”. Interestingly enough if the Romans, who
were known for their conquering spirit, found the Highlands unconquerable then
that is certainly saying something about the spirit and nature of the
inhabitants. However, the people of the Scottish Lowlands for the most part
assimilated into English culture. In his book,
Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish shaped
America, James Webb explains that the unification of the Scotland and
England begins with the death of Queen Elizabeth I who is supplanted by
Scotland’s James VI, renamed James I (84). While the Lowlanders and English
found a way to coexist, the same could not be said for the Irish who had a
common social system as the Highlanders.
Ireland and the Scottish Highland share a common Celtic
cultural influences. In his essay, “Searching for a New World: The Background
and Baggage of Scots-Irish Immigration”, David W. Miller writes about these
similarities citing that both Highlanders and the Irish share their language,
Gaelic, as well as “clan system for social relationships” (2).
With the common fortitude it is no wonder that those who wish to invade
Ireland would have as much difficulty as the Romans did with the Highlands. War
waged for centuries dating back to English Norman lords trying to establish the
feudal system; however, the Gaelic chieftains of Northern Ireland or Ulster
would continue to resist the English (Miller, 4). The placement of James I on
the throne of England would greatly change the power of the Gaelic lordship in
Ulster, helping to shape the future of the Scots-Irish.
Ulster, the future cultivation place of the Scots-Irish, was
about to experience a transformation. According to David W. Miller, during the
Tudor monarchy of England the Gaelic lordships of Ulster led constant revolts,
but this came to an end after Queen Elizabeth’s death (4).
Furthermore, a few years after James I ascension to the throne the
resisting Earls who possessed Ulster fled the country, known in history as “the
Flight of the Earls”, resulting in King James’ seizure of the land (Miller, 4).
When trying to eradicate the habits and frame of mind of country of people it
would be pointless to allow similar people to integrate. Change only occurs when
those who immigrate come with a different culture, and that is the reason the
Lowland Scots came to Ulster. As stated previously, the Scottish Highlanders’
culture mirrored that of the Irish, especially their language, Lowlanders had
adopted many of the habits of the English specifically their speech (Miller, 5).
With the old powers out, the stage has been set for the new inhabitants
of Ulster to arrive, the Lowlanders.
One might ask the question why would a race of people uproot
their families, leaving what is certain for uncertainty?
The largest contributing factor to the movement of people tends to derive
from the political temperature in their home country. During the preceding
centuries the Lowlanders were no strangers to hardships. Henry Jones Ford,
author of The Scotch-Irish in America,
explains that “the Lowlanders were accustomed to regarding Celtic clansmen as
raiders, pillagers, cattle-thieves, and murderers” (91). The Lowlanders had
suffered throughout the generations that they were willing to leave and begin in
a new place. However, they did not count on the fact that there waiting were
peoples much like the Highland clansmen, but despite the challenges the
Lowlanders would travel to Ulster, creating what we know as the Scots-Irish.
Scottish immigrants arriving in Ulster resembled the modern
day immigrant coming to America. During this semester’s study of immigrant
literature we have studied that prior to assimilation the immigrant brings
certain aspects of their culture. Miller writes that, “Scottish immigrant could
be identified as such by their dialect and clothing, eventually assimilating on
both accounts, but not religiously” (Miller, 6). Like many immigrants after, the
Ulster Scots held onto their religious roots, in this case Presbyterian. Another
aspect of their assimilation was the intermarriages among both the Scottish and
English who traveled to Ulster. James Webb explains that this intermarriage
between the Irish and English “accounts for the English origin surnames that
show up among Americans of Scots-Irish descent” (97).
The Ulster Scots become intergraded within the community, but it is
religious reasons that causes their exit from a place they had made their home.
Many immigrants coming to America search for religious
freedom, distancing themselves from countries that discriminate against them
because of religious affiliation. Many of the Ulster Scots identified with the
Presbyterian religion. After the throne of England had changed monarchies it was
Queen Anne who forgot the contribution the Ulster Scots made in maintaining
English presences in Ireland (Webb, 100).
Queen Anne’s Test Act would deny the rights of many Presbyterian Ulster
Scots causing political upheaval with many repercussions. First, they would
become divided from the culture that they had become a part of because,
according to Webb, “many Irish Catholics allied with a European power in an
attempt to expel them”; consequently it would result in their “isolation who
could depend only on each other” (101).
This would later develop the tight knit community that is distinctive of
the Scots-Irish. Secondly, the result from the fighting would cultivate a
bitterness and anger that is more directed at the English than the Irish (Webb,
117). This attitude would be carried for generations and become the noticeable
distrust of the government that many Scots-Irish decedents identify with.
In order to understand who people are it is important to understand where they have been. The Ulster Scots would travel to American and become the Scots-Irish. A group of people who are hearty, brave, and resilient. If the spirit of the Scots-Irish were to be summed up in a few words they were said best by James Webb’s Uncle Tommy, who was asked about his proudest accomplishment, he replied, “I never kissed the ass of any man”. It is this fire and sheer determination that has kept this group thriving and proud.
Works Cited
Ford, Henry. The
Scotch-Irish in America. New York: Arno Press. 1969. Print.
Miller, Henry. Hofstra, “Searching for a New World: The
Background and Baggage of Scots-Irish Immigration”
Ulster to America: The Scots-Irish
Migration Experience, 1680-1830. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee
Press. 2012. Print.
Webb, James. Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America. New York: Broadway Books. 2004. Print.
