Britain by 1957
- Created by: MonsurAli
- Created on: 16-06-17 00:03
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- Britain by 1957
- New commonwealth and migrants
- Hopes for a new commonwealth with old colonies was favoured, but it had to be balanced due to influx of immigrants.
- Empire Windrush in 1948 went from Jamaica to London with 492 immigrants. British Nationality Act 1948 allowed anyone from British colonies to enter UK legally. This caused 250k to come from West Indies and other parts.
- 1957: 210k had settled, 75% men. Britain was seen as the 'mother country' and new job opportunities due to growth meant immigrants could fill roles in London Transport and NHS. The USA restricted immigration making the UK no.1 choice.
- Public attitudes were mixed: some got along whilst others were racist. Friction was caused. They complained about their use of NHS and claiming of dole; they accepted lower wages and worker longer; bringing crime; unwillingness to mix into local communities.
- Immigrants settled in certain towns and cities. Discrimination in the workplace in businesses such as Ford Dagenham (5% quota of jobs to non-whites aka colour bar). Leader of HoC Lord Salisbury did not want to take action as it would lead to more immigrants coming. Attacks by Teddy boys led to race riots of 1958.
- Nuclear disarmament and CND
- Britain had worked closely with USA during war in development of atomic bomb. However 1946 Atomic Energy Act blocked this cooperation.
- Due to Cold War, Britain felt as though it needed its own nuclear programme. Attlee and Bevin wanted it (Bevin wanted 'Union Jack on top of it'). Britain conducted 12 tests up until 1957 in Australian territories. Caused health and clean up problems.
- Churchill continued it and first tests of atomic bomb in 1952. However by this time USA and USSR had H-bomb (Britain made it in 1957).
- It was seen as the best form of defence and would help cut costs. Public opinion was in favour of it (60%) but it split the Labour party. Bevan first wanted disarmament, but in 1957 opposed it publicly. Thus caused anger and was a betrayal. Some say he only did it to become foreign secretary.
- CND created 1958 and many left wing Labour members joined. Included individuals like Priestley, Michael Foot, A.J.P. Taylor and Bertrand Russell.
- New commonwealth and migrants
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