The impact of Huguenots and other Protestant immigrants
The Huguenots had a huge economic impact on Britain. They revitalised the silk weaving trade, kick-started various manufacturing industries, such as cutlery making in Sheffield, and invested heavily in growing businesses.
The skills and energies of Huguenot A person who arrives from another country. played an important part in the transformation of Britain into Europeâs major industrial power. Many Huguenots joined the armed forces, with some even rising to the highest officer positions.
Just as Someone from Flanders in the region that is now part of Belgium. and Dutch Skilled workmen and craftspeople. had kick-started the growth of manufacturing in the Middle Ages , Walloons and Huguenots played a key part in the move to a The economic idea that countries should be run based on private business, trade, stocks and shares, and profit. economy based on banks, credit, stocks and shares. Huguenots were key investors in the Bank of England and its first Governor was descended from Huguenot immigrants. They were also at the heart of the growth of capitalism. The Bank - and the creation of the National Debt - meant that the government could borrow money to fight wars that enabled the British Empire to grow and protected the Atlantic for slave ships and the plantation system.
Walloons, Huguenots and later Jews were allowed to have their own places of worship. At that time the same freedom was not allowed to English A Protestant who does not conform to the established Church of England. or Christians whose religious leader is the Pope.. However, the allowances given to Christians who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation. They believe in the teachings of the Bible but reject the authority of the Pope. and Jewish A person living outside their own homeland as a result of war, famine or persecution. paved the way to similar freedoms for other groups and helped make British society more open to religious differences.
Over a few generations, Huguenots integrated well into British society. Up to a quarter of Londoners may have some Huguenot ancestry. Huguenot fashions and styles, influenced by their own craftspeople, became fashionable.
Revision task
âBritain welcomed Protestant immigrants in the period between 1500 and 1750 and they brought benefit to the countryâ. How far do you agree with this statement?
Go through this guide and make a list of all the examples you can find that support the statement, ie examples of a welcoming Britain.
Then go through and list all the examples you can find that oppose the statement, ie examples of an unwelcoming Britain.
How far do you agree with the statement, and why?
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