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The Land Question. Next you will learn what the ‘ land question ’ was in the Highlands and Islands, and whether it was resolved. Explain what the land issue was and why it worsened after 1918. Explain what land raids were. By the end of the lesson you will be able to:.
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The Land Question Next you will learn what the ‘land question’ was in the Highlands and Islands, and whether it was resolved.
Explain what the land issue was and why it worsened after 1918. Explain what land raids were. By the end of the lesson you will be able to: • Explain what the Land Settlement Act was and how this act was unsuccessful. • Explain how the government dealt with land raiders and what message this gave the raiders. • Explain how even private investment could not stop land raiders on the Island of Lewis.
Background to the land issue • Crofters Act 1886. • Security of tenure. (i.e. You could not be evicted from the land you worked) • Fair rents. That’s all very good but I’m still not happy!
Returning home • At the end of WWI, returning soldiers to the Highlands believed they had been promised land in return for fighting.
“When we were in the trenches down to our knees in mud and blood we were promised all the good things when we should return home victorious”
Remaining Difficulties • Good quality land was scarce. • Few jobs. • Ownership of land = guarantee of security and stability. So, when I come home after the war to find that no land is available – I’m a bit miffed!
Task • Watch the following video clip on the land question • http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/video/n/video_tcm4567348.asp Read pages 88-93 of the Great War text book. • Using the success criteria headings take notes under each heading. • Remember to include as much evidence as you can. Figures etc. OR • Create a story board using the success criteria to highlight all the information. You need to include illustrations and written information.
Why did land issue grow after 1918 Investment and maintenance of large estates had declined. Landowners saved money by changing arable land to rough grazing land for sheep and cattle which reduced the amount of land available for returning soldiers to farm.
What were the land raids? A number of men who marched onto land they believed they had a right to work on. Mark out farms E.g Hebrides men began to cultivate land and Drumnadrochit (Highlands) they grazed and reared sheep in both cases on land that was not their property.
UnsuccessfulLand Settlement Act In Lloyd George’s election manifesto he had stated that it was the duty of the government to provide land or men who had served in the war - December 1919 this was passed. Unsuccessful government reserves were depleted quickly due to the purchase of land from previous owners. Within 5 months funds were used up and future plans were suspended.
UnsuccessfulLand Settlement Act Between 1918 and 1924 government were under tremendous pressure to secure land for returning servicemen even for land raiders.
How did the government deal with land raiders? Still under pressure to find land the government still had to deal with the illegal land raiders or this would undermine their authority. In Raasay land raiders were banned from any official settlement of land but the raiders were given temporary accommodation. The Board of Agriculture purchased the raided estate and the raiders were given the land!
How did the government deal with land raiders? This action showed the government could do little to stop the raiders and would even give in to raiders’ demands. Land raiders continued till the mid 1920s.
Lewis and Leverhulme Leverhulme Project – In 1919 Island of Lewis was bought by Lord Leverhulme. Highlighted Highlanders reluctance to change. He hoped to develop Lewis and proposed to turn Stornoway into a smart island capital (war memorial, cinema, railway) He wanted a new fishing fleet, more efficient farming base and a new canning factory in Stornoway.
Lewis and Leverhulme He had bought a ‘sick’ island (emigration, declining fish industry and many deaths due to T.B) By 1918 Lewis had witnessed 17% of 7000 servicemen dead, one of the highest proportions of the UK! Leverhulmes’ vision was criticised for being hopelessly out of touch with situation on Lewis. He did not understand serious decline in fishing or islanders’ attachment to land.
Lewis and Leverhulme (Islanders fight back) Clash of interests illustrated by a land raid on the farms of Coll aand Gress. Leverhulme wanted these farms to produce milk for island but land raiders wanted the land. “is he willing to give us the land and is he willing to give it now?” Government was in a difficult position, Leverhulmes private investment meant that the government would not have to worry about the Island but did not help the returning service men. Government delayed land settlement for 10 years to give Leverhulme a chance to show the Lewis men that his proposals would be best and to stop demands for small holdings. The men did not accept Leverhulme’s proposals and raids continued! Leverhulme different tactics, sacking workers till raids stopped, giving land to crofters for free which crofters were suspicious off. Projects suspended in Lewis in September 1923. Criticisms for not understanding the Highland way of life and attachment to land, islanders argued that he would have reduced island life to factory life. High unemployment after the collapse of the project led to mass emigration with many finding work in car factories in Detroit and Chicago! Investors then avoided the Highlands!
