Race And Immigration Flashcards
What happened 1971 regarding race relations?
-cons gov passed immigration act 1971
What did this immigration act 1971 do?
-restricted the right of people from new commonwealth coming to Br
-would need a guaranteed job + at least 1grandparent born in Br
What was the rate of immigration like to Br?
-remained steady flow from Indian subcontinent like India, Pakistan + Bangladesh
-events abroad often caused sudden influx of
What event abroad caused sudden influxes of immigrants to Br?
-dictator Uganda, Amin, persecuted + expelled Ugandan Asians
-many had Br passports moving from India to Uganda when India still a colony
How did Br respond to this?
-exceptions from Immigration Act
-Heath set up resettlement board - 28k arrived
What was the rate of immigration like?
-1974 over 1m New Commonwealth immigrants in Br
-325k from Caribbean 435k from India + Pakistan + 150k from Africa
What was political representation like for immigrants.
-they settled in areas with other immigrants due to cultural similarities but representation limited
-1974 London Borough council elections only 10 non-white councillors but up to 35 1978 but change didn’t reflect growing immigration population
What further acts were passed regarding race relations?
-1976 new lab gov passed another Race Relations act to tackle discrimination on basis of race
What did this act establish?
-the commissions for racial equality
-had power investigate + compel witnesses appear in front of it
What was the national front?
-political party founded 1967 by John Tyndall
-oppose non-white immigration
What did the National Front do?
-became active in parts of London where immigrants settled like Brick Lane + Southall
What was the impact of the National Front?
-no electoral success but popularity grew 1970s
-up to 200k members 1976 + by 1977 described as Br 4th largest party
-Feb 1974 put up 90 candidates in gen elec
What did the growth of the National Front indicate?
-indicated ongoing concerns over immigration producing response from main parties
What was this response from the main parties?
-cons gov announced toughen up immigration policy further to limit number immigrants coming to Br
What did Thatcher say in 1976 interview to ITV over how much cons would limit immigration as leader of cons party?
-public afraid Br will be swamped with people of diff culture
-hold out prospect end immigration except for compassionate cases - look at the numbers who have right to come in
What was the impact of thatchers interview?
-some complained her words were defined to appeal to racists
-she said she received hundreds letters in support + cons party opened up 11-point lead in opinion polls
What was a strategy of the National Fronts?
-holding marches + demonstrations in areas of high immigration levels
-marches considered provocative + marked by violence
What is evidence of these marches being filled with violence?
-Trades Council of East London details of over 100 incidents including 2 murders 1976-78
-assaults + robberies of Asians + African-Caribbean’s rise by 1/3
What was set up to combat this?
-pressure group the Anti-Nazi league set up 1977 in part to combat this
Who were attracted by the National Front’s ideas?
-Skinheads
-were often behind violent attacks on ethnic people like ‘paki-bashing’
What groups fought against racism?
-rock against racism set up 1976 as reaction to comments made by rock guitarist Erik Clapton supporting Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech
What was the appeal of rock against racism?
-it recruited big names
-by 1977 claimed support from Sham 69, The Clash + Steel Pulse
What was the role of The Clash in Rock Against Racism?
-The Clash headlined a concert turned huge demonstration April 1978 attracting 100k
-they drew on reggae + ska influence as well as punk rock
What was reggae + ska music?
-styles of popular music originating in Jamaica + characterised by a strong offbeat
