Race Relations 1939-58 Flashcards
What was the empire windrush
A ship that first brought West Indian immigrants to Britain in 1948
It begins the shift in immigration from the If commonwealth to the new commonwealth
In 1957 what was the government concerned about related to race
They were worried about “white flight” or “segregation” they were worried that British cities would become ghettos like in the US
What did trade union members complain that black men were doing
Taking their jobs
Why did the working class teddy boys discriminate against black men
Because they were angry that the black men were taking their women
In what ways were blacks and other minorities discriminated against
There were no black signs up in places and they were forced to live in overcrowded and poor quality homes
How did the media contribute to prejudice against blacks
Stereotypes were encouraged in the media and there were coverage of black men engaging in criminal activity and sex with white women
Why during the Second worked war was there a shift in attitudes towards British colonies
They changed from racial inferiors to war time allies but this only lasted a short while
How many black workers were invited work in war time industries
1000 West Indians in Lancashire and Merseyside
10,000 as group crew by the RAF
What caused the overturning of the alien order in 1942
It was due to the wartime contribution of West Indians, alongside massive unemployment in the colonies
How did the post war economic recovery and demand for workers affect immigration
Because the government attempted to employ workers from Europe as there was a demand for workers
100,000 polish people were recruited as past of the polish resettlement corps
How many people from the European voluntary workers emigrated to Britain looking for work
85,000 and they were mainly from eastern Euripides and Italy
How did the NHS and textiles industries affect the new commonwealth
Because they advertised for jobs, representatives were sent to recruit new staff- 140 men were recruited from Barbados in 1956 alone
What did the British nationality act of 1948 do?
Made all people living in the commonwealth British citizens. This allowed a greater influx of black men from the Caribbean
The SS windrush
Arrived on 22 June 48 with 492 West Indians
Sep 48 arrived with 108 Jamaicans
Within 5 years over 3,000 black immigrants settled each year
Year, total ethnic population and the percent of total population
- 80,000. 0.2
- 500,000. 0.8
- 1,500,000. 3.3
- 2,200,000. 4.1
- 3,000,000. 6.4
- 4,000,000. 7.3
