Empire 1947 to 1967 Flashcards
Where did Britain get most of it trade before the 1960s
Empire and the Commonwealth
- they provided essential imports of food and raw materials when britain’s financial reserves were too low to buy from elsewhere
Where was britain investing pre 1960s
Also empire
- in 1956 about 58% of all overseas investment from the UK went to Empire
What happens from 1960s to imports and exports
Imports from commonwealth fall from 44% in 1948 to 29% in 1965
- Exports also fall
the opposite happens for Western Europe, with imports rising by 8% by 1965
What happened to the EU economy post war?
It recovered faster than expected due to US Marshall aid.
Also due to advances in tech and science.
by the mid 1950s there was full employment in europe and growth rates were high
The sterling area pg137
facts and figures about commonwealth immigrants by 1958
- 115,000 west indians, up from 17,500 in 1951
- 55,000 Indians and Pakistanis
- 25,000 West Africans
who was Oswald Mosley + what did he do
former leader of the British Union of Fascists
- founded the Union Movement in 1948
- ran for election in Kensington (included Notting Hill) and issued racist pamphlets such as ‘stop coloured immigration’
how did immigration create tension
- initially curiosity mixed w uncertainty
- indifference was more common in the early 50s but as post war boom reduced, prejudice set in
- worries about dilution of british values and culture coupled with concern to protect houses and jobs. immigrants worked for longer hours at lower wages. undercutting.
- immigrants ended up in poorest houses in the least desirable areas and as populations grew they were seen as threats
- 1958 gangs of ‘teddy boy’ youths attacking black people and violent riots broke out in nottingham and notting hill
- oswald moselys anti immigration union movement compounded problems
- 1962 survey: 90% of britons supported anti immigration legislation and 80% felt there were already too many immigrants
what was the 1962 commonwealth immigrants act
- those with employment in the UK already arranged
- those with skills and qualifications that were in short supply
- all others placed on waiting lists but ex servicemen were on the top of the list
an attempt to control immigration, it rescinded free immigration for former colonial subjects regardless of if they had british passport
- instead work permit (voucher) scheme put in place.
- irish exempt and white skilled immigrants able to get vouchers easier
- black applicants found it harder to access vouchers and in the 12 months following only 34,500 arrived in britain
act received massive public support 70% positive in polls
Notting hill carnival
after racial tensions of late 50s, efforts made to improve community relations
(set up by west indian immigrants)
