Immigration in the Early Modern era, 1500-1750 overview - OCR AChanging ideas about religion

Huge changes emerged from the Reformation, the Union with Scotland, the beginnings of empire, new global trade routes, the growth of business and the trade in enslaved Africans.

Part ofHistoryMigration to Britain c1000 to c2010

Changing ideas about religion

The - when millions of people rejected the Church and turned to Churches - was one of the key changes in European history and it had a significant effect on to Britain.

In 1500 England was a Roman Catholic country. By 1750, after the turmoil of the 16th century Reformation and the 17th century , Britain was the leading Protestant power in Europe. Spain and France were its main enemies.

A map of Europe which illustrates where the key Protestant refugees, Walloons, Huguenots and Paletines, came from

The country became a key place of safety for Protestant . These included:

  • from what is now Belgium.
  • from France.
  • from what is now Germany.

They were all initially welcomed but were eventually treated very differently based on their wealth and the skills they could offer.

By the mid-18th century, British society was more accepting of different religious practices, partly thanks to . Protestant and Jewish communities had their own places of worship and similar freedoms were being offered to and, eventually, Catholics.