15. Minority Rights And Brixton Riots Flashcards
What was the Windrush?
A boat that brought 492 people from Jamaica to Britain in 1948
How many migrants came to Britain between 1950s and 1970s?
1.4 million
Why were migrants first come to Britain?
It was at Britain’s request to help rebuild the country after the war
The NHS actively recruited nurses in Caribbean and the London Transport recruited 4,00
However, although they were very skilled, most were found working the unskilled, low paid jobs British people didn’t want to do
Why did Polish people and Italians come to Britain?
The polish didn’t want to return home to a communist country
8,000 Italians came as they were invited to work in brickworks in Bedford
Where did most migrants live?
Mainly in London, Brixton, Nottingham or Hackney with a few in Yorkshire and Midlands
What was living/accommodation like for migrants?
Most found it difficult to even find a place to live
There were no council houses available and banks wouldn’t give them mortgages so they had to rent.
They were often squished into worse houses but paying the highest rents
Many landlords bullied and exploited immigrants, with many facing racism at work and around city
How did the government feel about immigrants?
They needed them as the economy needed labour
However, they didn’t like all the tension that was being created
How did Immigration become a political issue?
There was a dramatic increase in Racism
In 1964 election, the Labour MP in Birmingham lost his seat to an openly racist conservative
Enoch Powell then made his famous ‘rivers of blood ‘ speech in 1968 and called for all immigrants to be returned home
He was sacked, but many London Dockworkers staged a strike to support him
National Front stages marches in immigrant areas
How did the number of immigrants increase?
In 1961, there was a sharp rise in immigration as many migrants asked for their wives and children to join them
The migrant community was now filled with families
How have migrant communities changed what we eat/wear e.t.c
In 1950 there were 6 Indian restaurants. Now in 2015, there’s 9,500
Asian entrepreneurs have established businesses and regularly appear in ‘rich lists’
Britain seemed a land of opportunity for them
What Acts were taken to address issues of immigration?
Just some examples
1968 Race Relations Act
1971 Immigration Act
1976 Council for Racial Equality Set up
What caused the Brixton Riots in 1981?
There was a house fire in January 1981 where 5 black youths died.
It was incorrectly suspected to be a white racists attack
Many people believed the police were unwilling and unable to protect black People
What was crime and enforcement like in Brixton?
It had one of the highest crime rates in London - due to this patrols had increased
Police officers were allowed to stop and search anyone on suspicion of a wrongdoing
Police were 7x or 8x more likely to stop young black People then white so many black people felt targeted
The poor housing and high unemployment contributed to their unease
What happened on the 10th April 1981?
A young black male was seen running from a group of other youths in Brixton and was bleeding from a stab wound.
The policemen called an ambulance however a police car turned up and pushed this black man into the back of it and rushed to hospital where he later died (some say due to police brutality and he was arrested first)
What happened on the 11 April 1981 as a riot?
A stop and search of a car led to a policemen being hit by a brick
More police appeared and crowds grew as a window was broken and jewellers looted
Buildings were set on fire and police cars were overturned and set on fire
A battle developed between people and police
By the evening, over 1,000 police were sent to Brixton to restore order but nearly 300 policemen were hurt and 100 vehicles destroyed
Around 150 buildings were burned and 82 arrests made
