Race Relations in 60's Flashcards
When was the first Race Relations Act passed?
1965
What did the first Race Relations Act mean?
This forbade racial discrimination in public places and made hatred on grounds of race, national origin and ethnicity illegal.
When was the second Race Relations Act passed?
1968
What did the second Race Relations Act entail?
It made it illegal to refuse housing, employment or public services on racial or ethnic grounds.
What did the second Race Relations Act show in terms of government attitude?
It shows that the government is willing to acknowledge and respond to needs of immigrants and the lacks which the first act had. The government effectively responds to areas that need improvement which shows the overall desire to bring about tolerance and safety for foreign people, and work towards an equal multiracial Britain.
What did the two Race Relations Act show British government was working towards and how were they doing it?
The government were aiming for a multiracial society and they were doing this through legislation.
When was the Commonwealth Immigration Act passed?
1968
Why was the Commonwealth Immigration Act somewhat controversial in cabinet, who thought this?
As the Commonwealth Secretary, Thomson, stated the Bill was “wrong in principle’ and ‘clearly discriminatory’ to black immigrants.
What did the Commonwealth Immigration Act entail and what did it mean?
It indirectly, made it so that the government is able to control who enters Britain. As demanded by the Act it prevented immigrants without a parental of grandparental connection from entering the UK.
What had caused the ‘Rivers of Blood speech’ and the Commonwealth Immigration Act?
The influx of Asian Kenyans who were arriving in Britain to find employment due to Kenya’s harsh new policies which prevented them from working and owning businesses.
What percentage of people agreed with Powell’s speech? And how was this surveyed?
A Gallop poll showed that 75% of the population agreed with the ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech.
What was the main message in Powell’s speech?
There must be a complete stop to immigration and an immediate move to re emigration if Britain was to be preserved. Immigration causes a threat to British people as “The black man will have the whip hand over the white man” reflecting the image that immigrants pose a threat to nationalist supremacy and white control.
What does the ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech imply about the feelings of British people?
There was an anxiety and fear of others taking over control and dominating the country which in turn led to hatred of the supposed threat.
What was the government reaction to Powell’s speech.
Heath immediately sacked Powell from shadow cabinet and never spoke to him again.
What was the public reaction to Powell being sacked?
March protest in Downing Street to bring him back, dockers and meat porters go on strike in London.
