How Far Had Harmonious Race Relations Been Created by 1979? Flashcards
Government Inaction in 1950s
British Nationality Act (1948)
Increase in immigration, but did little to promote integration
Government Inaction in 1950s
Ghettoization
Immigrants live together in affordable urban centres
Led to white flight, and ultimately segregation
St Ann’s in Nottingham, Toxteth in Liverpool, Brixton in London
Government Inaction in 1950s
Local Councils
Did little to promote integration
No expertise, resources, or political will
Government Inaction in 1950s
Employment Discrimination
Colour bar in employment throughout 1950s, ‘quotas’ in many factories: 95% white workers at Ford and Tate and Lyle
Workers would strike if 5% rule breached
Government Inaction in 1950s
Media and Tensions
Sensationalised reports
Immigrants portrayed as unhygenic, violent, criminals - increase social tensions
White gangs of ‘Teddy Boys’ fought gangs of black immigrants - ‘Yardies’
Social isolation and reinforced negative stereotypes
Government Inaction in 1950s
Tension and Violence
Regular fights
St Ann’s, Nottingham - over 1000 youths fought eachother
Notting Hill Race Riots (1958) - weeks of violence, mobs up to 700 white people ‘hunting’ for immigrants, police did little to stop violence
More than 4000 left and returned to Caribbean
Government Inaction in 1950s
Analysis
Gov failure to support and promote integration led to increased tension + discrimination
Failure of integration led to increased violence and race riots - particularly Notting Hill, and caused criticism with some leaving entierly
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Labour Party View
Committment to tackle discrimination, and promote multi-culturalism
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Legislation
1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act (Cons)
1968 Commonwealth Immigration Act (Lab)
1971 Immigration Act (Cons)
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Commonwealth Immigration Act (1962)
Conservative, MacMillan
Designed to end large-scale immigration
Allowed settling in the UK if awarded a job voucher
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Commonwealth Immigration Act (1968)
Labour, Wilson
Sought to restrict immigration from India, Pakistan, West Indies, introduced ‘grandfather clause’
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Immigration Act (1971)
Conservative, Heath
Temporary 12 month work permits
1972, only 2,290 immigrants admitted to UK
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Public Reception
Limits popular - average 70% approval
Potentially prevented extremism gaining popularity - National Front, British Union of Fascists
But racist, and increased social tensions
Clear message that immigrants not wanted
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Race Relations Legislation
Labour embraced multi-culturalism, rejected ‘assimilation’ policy
Race Relations Acts (1965, 1968, 1976) - Outlawed colour bar, inciting racial hatred, discrimination in housing. Created Communities Relations Commission (multi-cullturalism in schools), and Commission for Racial Equality (enforced laws)
Government Action in 1960s + 1970s
Analysis
Immigration laws becoming more restrictive, but government taking steps to tackle racism and discrimination
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
Public Attitudes
Little change to attitudes of public - many held racist views
Racial minorities depicted as negative stereotypes, few positive representations of ethnic minorities
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
BUF
In 1958, British Union of Fascists campaigned openly against immigration
Only 8% of vote, worrying sign of openly racist attitudes
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
Peter Griffiths
Conservative Peter Griffiths
Campaigned in Smethwick, Birmingham with slogan ‘if you want a n- for a neighbour, vote Labour’
Won the election
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
Enoch Powell
Conservative MP
‘Rivers of blood’ speech
Sacked by Heath, petition signed by 30,000 people to reinstate, 1000 dock workers in London went on strike, estimated 75% agreed
‘Post colonial racism’
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
National Front
1967
Formed to oppose immigration, gained over 20,000 members by 1970
16% of vote in West Bromwich in 1973
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
Notting Hill
1976, Notting Hill Carnival
Aggressive attempts by police to close it down
Investigation ruled police were heavy-handed + motivated by racism
Remaining Tensions and Racist Attitudes by 1970s
Radicalisation of Minority Rights Groups
1968 - Obi B. Egbuna, British Black Panther Party
Campaigned against institutional racism in Met Police, forced gov acknowledgement racism was endemic
1974 - Darcus Howe, Race Today Collective
Black rights organisation dedicated to fighting discrimination + promoting equality
