Windrush Flashcards
Who were the windrush generation?
Came to Britain in 1948, 492 people, mostly men from the West Indies (Caribbean Sea islands) Trinidad, Jamaica Barbados
June 22nd 1948,Ship Empire Windrush, arrived at Tilbury docks, London
Moving to the Mother country?
1948 Britain still had an empire
During WW2 people from all over the Empire helped Britain win the war
West Indies provided 10,000 men for Britain’s army
Returned home to the Caribbean after the war …life was very hard
Jamacia devestated by a hurricane in 1944
No tourist industry
Price of sugar an all time low
Ambitious men seeking better opportunities felt their future lay in the ‘ mother country’
Why Britain?
1948 Parliament passed the British Nationality Act
All people of the Empire - now known as the Commonwealth - were British passport holders and free to live and work in Britain.
Many West Indians saw this as a great opportunity having been brought up speaking English, names after British hereos and educated to believe in Queen and country.
Britain short on workers to help run the transport system, postal service and hospitals.
Welcome Windrush?
Made headlines in Britain before had even arrived
Newspapers full of stories of the ‘colour problem’
Some politicians demanded ship be turned back
What was their experience like in Britain?
Not all white Britons welcomed Britain’s newest citizens.
Many West Indians found their skin colour provoked hostile reactions
Despite their qualifications some ended up in low-paid jobs eg cleaners, hospital porters and ticket collectors.
Experienced difficulties finding somewhere to live … only find places in run-down areas
Openly racist signs
Prejudice led to ‘black areas’ being created
Violence and riots
Outbreaks of violence in areas where large numbers of West Indians lived
1958, Nottingham and Notting Hill, several weeks of violence where white youths attacked balck youths on the streets, in their homes..
Notting Hill Carnival began as a gesture of defiance by the black community against the widespread racial attacks of the time.
What happened next?
Despite discrimination, racial tension and obstacles such as low pay and poor housing thousands and thousands of West Indians decided to make Britain their home.
Some returned home but most decided to stay in Britain despite difficultues they faced.
The contributuion they made to British society and culture is huge.
