Immigrants

Question 1

When did the first immigrants arrive after the war?

Answer 1

June 1948 from the Carribean

Question 2

On what boat did the first immigrants arrive and how many people did it carry?

Answer 2

The Empire Windrush, carrying 462 passengers

Question 3

What proportion of British society was non-white by 1962?

Answer 3

350,000 or 0.7%

Question 4

When was the British Nationality Act?

Answer 4

1948

Question 5

What was the impact of the British Nationality Act?

Answer 5

It confirmed the rights of all Commonwealth citizens to settle in Britain, the Government at this time were very keen to attract more workers to the country

Question 6

What work opportunities became available in Britain?

Answer 6

There were several labour shortages, recruitment was run in the West Indies to attract workers to new government systems,
Indians could earn 30x their normal wage in textiles in Britain

Question 7

What new government sections/ systems were set up that required workers?

Answer 7

The NHS and TFL

Question 8

What view of Britain did many immigrants have?

Answer 8

They had romanticised views of Britain and saw it as better than it potentially was

Question 9

Why did immigrants view Britain as such an amazing place?

Answer 9

They had grown up being taught to regard Britain as the “Mother Country” and learned about British literature and history, this sparked a natural curiosity to come here

Question 10

How did economic problems at home cause many to emigrate to Britain?

Answer 10

Many Commonwealth countries suffered from high unemployment, poverty and high birth rates, they saw Britain as an escape from this

Question 11

What other problems at home cause people to emigrate?

Answer 11

In many countries previously in the Commonwealth there was great amounts of violence and in some cases war,

Question 12

What are examples of violence and conflict that cause people to emigrate their home countries?

Answer 12

The partition of India was accompanied by much violence including the deaths of 2 million

Question 13

What happened in Uganda that caused an increase in people to emigrate to Britain?

Answer 13

In Uganda, President Idi Amin expelled 60,000 Asain Ugandans, many came to Britain

Question 14

In what country did Idi Amin expel his people from?

Answer 14

Uganda

Question 15

What happened in 1952 that caused an increase in people to emigrate to Britain?

Answer 15

In 1952 the USA put restrictions on immigration (from 65,000 to 800)

Question 16

In 1956 what scheme was set up?

Answer 16

London Transport who had been recruiting from the West Indies, decided to start a scheme where they paid migrant’s boat fares and then paid it back over the next months

Question 17

What are examples of problems immigrants faced in the 1950s?

Answer 17

Houses had signs saying ‘No blacks’,
In 1958 a white mob of 300 Teddy Boys attacked West Indians in Notting Hill, the police did little to help and tensions rose,
Many West Indians were under payed and over skilled

Question 18

Who was Kelso Cochrane?

Answer 18

He was a carpenter, originally from Antigua, who was stabbed to death by six white youths in 1959 in Notting Hill, the police failed to arrest the killers

Question 19

What one positive action came from the Notting Hill Riots?

Answer 19

From 1960 onwards, the Notting Hill Carnival was set up in memorial

Question 20

How many Caribbean people came to Britain between 1955 and 1962?

Answer 20

250,000

Question 21

Which party was in power in the early 1960s?

Answer 21

The Conservative Party

Question 22

What did the Conservative Government introduce in 1962?

Answer 22

The Commonwealth Immigrants Act

Question 23

When was The Commonwealth Immigrants Act passed?

Answer 23

18 April 1962

Question 24

What did the The Commonwealth Immigrants Act do?

Answer 24

It took away the rights of Commonwealth citizens to settle, they had to receive an employment voucher.

Question 25

By 1972, what did immigrants need to enter the country?

Answer 25

A work permit

Question 26

Why did the government introduce these laws against immigrants?

Answer 26

In response to public pressure, some labelled them as lazy, involved in crime or as willing to work for less than white workers

Question 27

How did the Labour government attempt to protect immigrants rights?

Answer 27

The 1965 Race Relations Act and the 1968 Race Relations Act

Question 28

When were the two Race Relations Act and what did each do?

Answer 28

In 1965, it made it illegal to discriminate on grounds of race in public places e.g. cafes, hotels.
In 1968, it outlawed discrimination in housing and employment

Question 29

When and who gave the “Rivers Of Blood” speech?

Answer 29

In 1968, Enoch Powell gave the “Rivers Of Blood” speech

Question 30

What was the “Rivers Of Blood” speech about?

Answer 30

It criticised immigration in the UK, claiming because of their involvement, if not stopped would cause “Rivers Of Blood” to flow from Britain

Question 31

What were the various responses to the “Rivers Of Blood” speech?

Answer 31

Conservative leader Edward Heath sacked Powell,
Immigrants felt insulted by his remarks,
However thousands of dock workers supported him and marched in favour of him

Question 32

What was the National Front?

Answer 32

An extreme right wing group, set up in 1967, opposed immigration and multi-cultural policies

Question 33

How many MPs from the National Front were elected?

Answer 33

Despite many demos in London, they did not get any MPs elected

Question 34

What are examples of immigrant contribution to British society by the 1970s?

Answer 34

Music (Bob Marley), Economics(Textile industry, transport), Cultural (Notting Hill Carnival, foods, religion), Health (NHS)

Question 35

How many GIs from America came to the UK in the war?

Answer 35

3 milliion

Question 36

How many American GIs married British women ?

Answer 36

80,000

Question 37

How many marriages were there between Canadians and British women?

Answer 37

40,000