Windrush and the Caribbean Migrants Flashcards
What was the windrush?
A ship which returned from Australia and stopped off in Jamaica to pick up British soldiers, to London
Who was on the Windrush
Men seeking better opportunities
The British Nationality act
Passed by British Gov. n 1948
All people within British Empire were British passport holders and therefore were entitled to live and work in Britain
West Indians saw this as great opportunity
Impact of the Windrush
Newspapers full of stories about “the colour problem”
Some politicians demanded that the ship should be turned around and sent back
But when it docked, they were able to find jobs quickly
British experience
Some found good paying jobs but many had low pay jobs such as cleaners
They were exposed to racist words ‘‘no Irish, no blacks, no dogs’’
Getting jobs became known as the ‘colour bar’
By 1960…
…there were around 40000 West Indian Immigrants arriving each year.
