Theme 3 c 3 - Racial controversy and the impact of government policies, 1958-79 Flashcards
In what ways did politicians take part in racism and the ‘race relations’ between 1958-79?
- Cons and Lab attempted to win votes by proposing policies to restrict immigration.
- A minority of politicians ‘played the race cars’: winning votes by appealing to popular racism.
- Advocate ‘multiculturalism’
- Black rights groups founded to fight against racism in Britain
What factors led to the introduction of restrictions on immigration from 1962?
- Widespread public concern about ‘racial tensions’.
- Govt reports blaming black and Asian people fro crime, the rising costs of welfare and overcrowding
What was the first govt. bill restricting immigration from the ‘new commonwealth’?
Commonwealth immigration act 1962
- Under Macmillian.
Year - Commonwealth immigration act
1962
What was the aim of the commonwealth immigration act?
Designed to end large-scale immigration. To prevent the creation of a multi-cultural society.
What two reasons were given in the Commonwealth Immigration Act that meant people from former colonies could obtain an entry voucher?
- They had a job waiting for them.
- They had specific skills that the British economy required, for instance, a member of the medical professional
What did the immigration act of 1962 allow?
Families to be reunited so spouses or children of people living in Britain still had entry rights.
Year - second commonwealth immigration act
1968
How did the 2nd Commonwealth Immigration Act tighten up the rules on immigration?
- Children of migrants who are over 17 will be denied entry.
- Children with only one parent in Britain were denied entry.
- Entry required a connection to Britain: new migrants had to prove that a parent or grandparent lived in Britain.
Year - Immigration Act
1971
What were the two largely racial categories introduced by the immigration act?
- Partial - born in the UK or recent relative born in the UK tended to be white British people.
- non-partial - born outside the UK with no relatives born in the UK.
What were ‘Partial’ migrants subject to due to the Immigration Act?
No restrictions. Most white people from commonwealth would come and go freely.
What were ‘Non-Partial’ migrants subject to due to the Immigration Act?
Subject to strict controls. They had no right to entry or residence and those who had lived in the UK for less than 10 years could be repatriated.
What was the level of support for the first Commonwealth Immigration Act?
1962 - 62-76%
What was the level of support for the second Commonwealth Immigration Act?
1968 - 72%
What was the level of support for the Immigration Act?
1971 - 59%
Why did the 1968 Commonwealth Immigration act face controversy?
Denied Kenyan Asians who were fleeing persecution entry to Britain.
As a result, it was attacked by the press and student racial.
What three areas did the Acts restricting immigration impact?
Mass migration, multi-culturalism and the radicalisation of black rights groups.
In what fours ways did the 1962 Commonwealth Immigration act lead to the creation of a multi-cultural society?
- Large numbers of black and Asian migrants moved before the Act was in place.
- Those that had planned to leave now stayed for the fear of being denied re-entry.
- Allowed immediate families to enter.
- 1963-79 between 30,000 and 50,000 work vouchers were issued every year.
What happened to Asian and Black populations in Britain between 1960-61?
Doubled in anticipation of 1962 commonwealth immigration act
Between 1963-79 how many work vouchers were issued every year?
Between 30,000 and 50,000.
So migration continued at historically high levels
How did ‘new commonwealth’ migration change between 1956 - 1961?
1956 - 46,050
1959 - 21,600
1961 - 136,4000