4 Race and Immigration 1951-1979 Flashcards
Between 1958-1979
what were general attitudes in politics?
- politicans appealed to popular racism or proposed to restrict immigration to win votes
- black rights groups formed to fight this
immigration policy
commonwealth immigration act 1962
macmillan
- people from colonies were only allowed into the country if they: 1. had a job waiting for them or 2. could prove that they had a skill Britain needed, for example if they were a medical professional
- spouses or children of citizens were also allowed in
immigration policy
commonwealth immigration Act 1968
wilson
why was it controversial..?
- children of migrants living in britain who were over 17 were denied entry
- children with only one parent living in Britain were denied entry
- Proof of parents or grandparents living in Britain was required for entry
controversial because it denied kenyan asians who were fleeing persecution
immigration policy
what caused the ‘need’ for it?
- racial tensions
- black/asian people blamed for crime, welfare issues and overcrowding
immigration policy
Immigration Act 1971
heath’s racial categories
- partial: born in the uk, or had parents or grandparents born in the uk
- non-partial: born outside the uk, and whose parents/grandparents were born outside the uk
partial had no restrictions, non-partial were denied entry, and if they had lived in the uk for less than 10 years they could be deported.
race relations
Race Relations Act 1965
Wilson
- illegal to deny service based on race
- outlawed racial hatred
- race relations board to enforce these rules
Race Relations
Race Relations Act 1968
Wilson
- outlawed discrimination in housing and employment
- comunity relations board to promote multiculturalism through education
Race Relations
Race Relations Act 1976
Wilson
- outlawed indirect discrimination
- combined Race Relations Board and Community Relations Commission to form a new commission on racial equality
this act was used to uphold the right of sikh boys to wear turbans in school following 1972 Mandla v. Dowell-Lee case
Race Relations
why did race relations act begin?
- pressure from black/asian population
- government thought rioting could happen soon if nothing was done
- political commitment to multiculturalism
Race Relations
what were the consequences of the race relations acts?
- prosecutions as a result of inciting racial hatred, but this was often used against black radicals
- for example, Michael X was arrested after his speech in reading in 1967
- Roy Sawh was arrested the most under 1965 law
White backlash
Enoch Powell Rivers of Blood speech 1968
- black + asian people had mire rights than white people
- white britons ‘strangers in their own country’
- multiculturalism - segregated communities and led to violence
- government should give grants to black and asian people to encourage re-emigration
White backlash
what happened as a result of enoch powell’s speech
- he was sacked from the conservative party
- but, 3 days after the speech took place, 1000 dockworkers stood in solidarity with powell holding placards that read ‘dont knock enoch’
- also, an opinion poll showed 74% of people agreed with him
White backlash
when was the national front party formed?
1967
White backlash
Notting Hill Carnival, what happened in 1976/1977
- the carnival was created by immigrants
- intense policing of the carnival led to violent clashes with the police at the 1976 carnival
- police also tried to close down the African Liberation Day celebrations taking place at the festival in 1977.
- Darcus Howe performed a citizens arrest on local police officers as a protest. this was later held up in court
White backlash
policy of dispersal
designed to enfoce assimilation. 70% of school populations had to be white.
- the policy was abandoned in the late 70s, but it showed Britain’s resistance to immigration.
