12 - Immigration And Racial Tensions Flashcards
What continuity led to racial tensions in the 1960s?
Continuing immigration
What constituency used racism in a 1964 campaign?
Smethwick, West Midlands
Who faced discrimination and violence from the New Commonwealth? What was meant to prevent this?
Immigrants
Legislation
Why did racial violence become worse in 1968? What former colony did this take place at?
Asian expulsion
Kenya
How many Kenyan Asians were arriving monthly in Britain in spring 1968?
2,000
What were Kenyan Asians known for? Despite this, what were people like upon their arrival in Britain?
Hard-working and entrepreneurial attitudes
Hostile
Who addressed hostile attitudes over Kenyan Asians? How did he address the issues?
Callaghan
1968 Commonwealth Immigration Act
What rules did the 1968 Commonwealth Immigration Act tighten?
Immigration rules
At what age were children of migrants denied British entry? What would happen if only one parent was living in Britain?
17
Denial of entry
What did entrants have to prove under the Commonwealth Immigration Act?
Parents were living in Britain
What did critics believe about the Commonwealth Immigration Act? What percent of people supported the Act?
It was divisive and unfair
72%
Under the new Act, how many people immigrated to Britain under the New Commonwealth? How many people were left adrift?
1,500
200,000
What did continuous immigration lead to in Britain?
A “white backlash”
Who made the famous “Rivers of Blood” speech? When was it made?
Shadow Defence Secretary Enoch Powell
April 1968
What did Powell believe would tackle a potential race war?
Sending immigrants back home
What did Powell believe that mass immigration and anti-racist laws meant? What did he believe multi-culturalism would cause?
Immigrants had more rights
Segregation
What did Powell believe the government should offer to non-white people?
Grants to go back home
Who did Powell’s speech quickly resonate with? How many Londoners marched in support?
White people
1,000
Why did Powell receive thousands of letters after his speech? What percent of people supported his ideas?
Support
70%
What was ironic about the government tightening immigration?
They outlawed racial discrimination
What 2 things did the Race Relations Acts of 1965 and 1968 outlaw?
Racial discrimination
Incitements of hatred
What Board was set up to investigate racial discriminations? What Commission was set up to promote understanding and tolerance?
Race Relations Board
Community Relations Commission
When was Roy Jenkins Home Secretary? What was he an advocate for?
1965-67
Multi-culturalism
What 2 things did Jenkins want to celebrate about multi-culturalism?
Diversity and equality
Who favoured Jenkins’ view on multi-culturalism? Why did some people oppose?
Liberals
They felt threatened by foreigners
What did Powell argue in his “Rivers of Blood” speech about the New Commonwealth?
“In 15 or 20 years time the black man will have the whip hand over the white one”
What did Callaghan positively argue about the Commonwealth Immigration Act?
“It will establish equality of treatment in housing and jobs”
