The 'Windrush' Generation - Carribean Migration Flashcards
What significant event in Caribbean migration to Britain is often regarded as the starting point?
The arrival of the Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948
The Empire Windrush carried 1,027 passengers, including hundreds from the Caribbean.
What was the primary reason for the migration of people from the Caribbean to Britain before the Second World War?
Historical links to the slave trade and labor opportunities
Migration from the Caribbean has a long history dating back hundreds of years, primarily linked to people of African descent.
What was Britain’s involvement in the slave trade during the mid-1600s?
Britain heavily participated in capturing, selling, and transporting enslaved Africans
This involved the forced transport of West Africans to the Americas and Caribbean islands.
How many Africans were estimated to have been transported by Britain between 1562 and 1807?
3.1 million Africans
Of these, only 2.7 million survived the journey due to harsh conditions.
What were enslaved Africans forced to work on in the Caribbean?
Large plantations
These plantations produced goods like sugar, cotton, and tobacco.
What law did the British Parliament pass in 1807 regarding enslaved Africans?
It became illegal to transport enslaved Africans to the British Empire for sale
However, enslaved people already in the colonies were not freed.
What did the British Parliament do in 1833 concerning slavery?
Banned slave ownership
This was a significant step towards the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
What challenges did African-Caribbean people face in Britain after the abolition of the slave trade?
Discrimination, difficulty finding work, and poor living conditions
Many lived in overcrowded housing and some experienced homelessness.
Fill in the blank: The trade in enslaved Africans contributed significantly to Britain’s _______.
Wealth
Profits from slavery helped fund Britain’s industrial revolution.
What were the primary roles of African-Caribbean people living in Britain during the 19th century?
Servants or laborers
They often lived in overcrowded housing in industrial towns and cities.
Name three Caribbean islands mentioned in the context of the slave trade.
Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago
These islands were significant locations for the enslavement and forced labor of Africans.
Who was Mary Prince?
Mary Prince was born in Bermuda around 1787 into an enslaved family of African descent.
What significant event happened to Mary Prince in 1828?
Mary Prince arrived in London with the family who had enslaved her and managed to escape.
What is the title of Mary Prince’s published account?
The History of Mary Prince, related by herself, published in 1831.
What does Mary Prince claim about the feelings of slaves?
All slaves want to be free; those who say otherwise are either ignorant or lying.
Who was Mary Seacole?
Mary Seacole was born in 1805 in Jamaica and was a nurse and healer of African descent.
What did Mary Seacole do during the Crimean War?
She traveled to Crimea to help British soldiers using her own money.
What happened to Mary Seacole after the war?
She returned to England ill and bankrupt, but people raised money for her.
What notable achievement did Mary Seacole accomplish with her book?
Her book became a best seller.
Who was Walter Tull?
Walter Tull was born in 1888 and became one of Britain’s first Black professional footballers.
What was Walter Tull’s military achievement during WWI?
He was the first Black officer in the British Army to command white soldiers.
What happened to Walter Tull in March 1918?
He was killed in action at the age of 29.
Who was William Cuffay?
William Cuffay was born in 1788 and was the son of a former enslaved man from St Kitts.
What campaign did William Cuffay lead?
He campaigned to improve voting rights in Britain.
What punishment did William Cuffay face in 1848?
He was transported to Australia for allegedly planning an uprising against the British government.
Fill in the blank: Mary Prince’s story was the first published account of enslavement from a _______ woman’s perspective.
Black
List two jobs that African-Caribbean migrants did after slavery was abolished.
- Tailoring
- Nursing
What is the term used to describe the group of Caribbean migrants who arrived in Britain in 1948?
Windrush generation
The term ‘Windrush generation’ refers specifically to the Caribbean migrants who arrived on the Empire Windrush ship.
On what date did the Empire Windrush arrive at Tilbury Docks?
22 June 1948
This date marks a significant event in British history, as it marked the arrival of the first large group of Caribbean migrants.
How many passengers were on board the Empire Windrush?
1,027 passengers
This included several hundred individuals from the Caribbean.
Why did many Caribbean individuals decide to migrate to Britain after World War II?
To seek new opportunities
Many were motivated by the hardships in the Caribbean and the belief that Britain was a supportive ‘mother country’.
What was a common experience for many people in the Caribbean after World War II?
Poverty and hardship
The difficult economic conditions prompted many to consider migration.
What did many Caribbean individuals learn in school about Britain?
That Britain was the ‘mother country’
This perception contributed to their decision to migrate, as they believed they would be supported and welcomed.
True or False: Most Caribbean individuals who served in World War II stayed in Britain after the war.
False
While some stayed, most returned to their home countries after the war.
What impact did the Windrush generation have on British society?
They helped change life in Britain
Their migration and contributions significantly influenced British culture and society.
Fill in the blank: The Windrush generation refers to Caribbean migrants who arrived in Britain on the _______.
Empire Windrush
This ship’s arrival is a pivotal moment in the history of Caribbean migration to Britain.
Outline two reasons why young Caribbean people migrated to Britain after World War II.
- Desire for new opportunities
- Belief in support from the ‘mother country’
These motivations were shaped by their experiences and education.
What caused Britain to be very short of workers after the war?
Many British people had migrated to countries such as Canada and Australia
This migration was in search of a better life.
What significant event in July 1948 impacted immigration to Britain?
The British Nationality Act was passed
It clarified the right of people in the Commonwealth to live and work in Britain.
What were some of the needs for workers in Britain post-war?
- Rebuilding large areas of cities destroyed by bombing
- National Health Service (NHS) requirements
- Improvement of the transport system
What is the term used to describe the British Empire today?
The Commonwealth
How did the NHS and other organizations encourage migration from the Caribbean?
They promoted job opportunities in sectors such as healthcare and transport.
What types of jobs did the passengers on the Empire Windrush claim they could do?
- Apprentice accountant
- Farm worker
- Tailor
- Boxer
- Mechanic
- Singer
- Law student
Why did most of the married men leave Jamaica according to the article?
Lack of work
What was the public reaction in Britain to the arrival of the Empire Windrush?
It caused alarm and concern about the ‘colour problem’
Some MPs even demanded the ship be turned around.
What does the term ‘coloured’ refer to in the context of the article?
It was used to describe African, Caribbean, and Asian people until the late twentieth century.
What was one concern expressed by passengers regarding their arrival in Britain?
Whether there was opposition to them because they were ‘coloured’.
Fill in the blank: The term ‘________’ is not commonly used anymore because it is considered offensive.
[coloured]
What is one reason the writer of the article states for Britain welcoming displaced persons?
Britain has a history of welcoming those who cannot go home.
What was the primary reason for the migration of the Windrush generation to Britain?
In search of work
By 1961, how many Caribbean-born people were living in Britain?
161,000
In which industrial cities did many Caribbean migrants settle?
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Nottingham
- London
What types of jobs did many Caribbean migrants end up working in despite their qualifications?
- Cleaners
- Ticket collectors
- Hospital porters
What challenges did the Windrush generation face in Britain?
- Difficulty finding decent housing
- Prejudice and racism
What was the nature of hostility experienced by migrants in Britain?
More often directed towards Black migrants
Fill in the blank: Many Caribbean migrants had skills such as _______.
[electricians, mechanics, engineers]
What did Sam King achieve in London after returning on the Empire Windrush?
He became the first Black mayor of Southwark
In what year was the British West Indies Regiment formed?
1915
What role did many African-Caribbean people serve during the First World War?
In the British Army and the Merchant Navy
Where did many of the Caribbean men who served in the war settle after returning?
- Liverpool
- London
- Newport
What was the Merchant Navy?
The collective name for the ships that transported food and raw materials
How did the older patients react to Black nurses when they first arrived in Britain?
They were often very nasty
Fill in the blank: The sign ‘NO IRISH, NO ______, NO DOGS’ reflects the prejudices faced by migrants.
[BLACK]
What was the Empire Windrush?
A German passenger ship launched in 1930, later used as a troopship and for deporting Jewish people during WWII, renamed after being taken by the British.
