Immigration

Question 0

Give three examples of negative experiences immigrants may have faced in Britain

Answer 0

• Discriminated against by landlords & charged extra
• Attacked by white youths
• Accused of being criminals
• Banks and building societies reluctant to give loans or mortgages
• Not welcome in bars or restaurants

Question 1

Name 6 places people may have migrated to Britain from

Answer 1

• Caribbean
• East Africa
• Indian Subcontinent
• Ireland
• Hong Kong
• Eastern Europe

Question 2

List 5 PULL factors resulting in many immigrants choosing to move to Britain

Answer 2

1. Work opportunities (NHS & London Transport etc)
2. Education opportunities
3. Many served in the British army and felt part of the country
4. Admired Britain and were brought up with stories of how great it is
5. Opportunity to start a business e.g. Coffee shops & restaurants

Question 3

List 4 PUSH factors resulting in many immigrants choosing to move to Britain

Answer 3

1. Economic problems at home
2. Violence at home
3. Forced to leave own country (lack of work & jobs)
4. Extreme weather conditions at home like hurricanes

Question 4

When did the Conservative government pass the Commonwealth Immigrations Act and what did it do?

Answer 4

In 1962 the Conservative government passes the Commonwealth Immigrations Act to enforce a voucher system which restricted immigration to people who had a valuable skill or where there was a shortage of workers.

Question 5

In 1964 what did Prime Minister Harold Wilson limit?

Answer 5

He limited the amount of immigrants allowed into the country to 8,500 per year.

Question 6

What was the Race Relations Act and when was it passed?

Answer 6

In 1965-66 the Race Relations Act was passed to make it illegal to discriminate against any person because of colour or race. There was also a Race Relation Board to deal with complaints about discrimination.

Question 7

What did the National Front propose to do about immigration in 1967?

Answer 7

The National Front (an openly racist political party) called for and end to immigration and to send all immigrants back to their country of origin.

Question 8

What changes were made to amend the Commonwealth Immigrations Act in 1968?

Answer 8

Changes made restricted work vouchers to 1,500 a year with a close connection clause which restricted entry to commonwealth citizens who held a British passport and those who had British grandparents. Enoch Powell claimed British people were overwhelmed and threatened by immigration.
Furthermore, the Race Relations Act was emended so that discrimination in areas like housing & employment became illegal.

Question 9

When was the Racial Equality Act passed and what was it?

Answer 9

In 1976, the Racial Equality Act made racially offensive media illegal & set up tribunals so that any job applicant who felt discriminated against could report the employer - Commission for Racial Equality investigated such cases.

Question 10

Who was Enoch Powell and what was the message behind his ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech?

Answer 10

Powell was a Conservative MP who held strong views against immigration and conveyed these throughout his speeches. On 20th April 1968 Powell said he could see “…the River Tiber foaming with much blood” warning that immigration was becoming out of control.
Many immigrants felt insulted.
Although press condemned his speech he received thousands of letters of support.

Question 11

Suggest at least 3 ways that immigrants contributed to British society

Answer 11

• Fashion
• Festivals and celebrations
• Music e.g. reggae
• Permanent Communties
• Starting businesses (adding to economy)
• NHS - cleaners, porters, nurses, doctors & surgeons
• Jobs - took any offered to them
• Italian immigrants brought coffee bars and ice cream parlours
• Indian & Chinese food
• Diverse range of religions