Immigration to the British Isles

?
View mindmap
  • Immigration to the British Isles
    • Immigration to Britain
      • In the 3rd century some African men were brought to Britain to defend Hadrian's Wall.
      • There was a Jewish population recorded in the 12th century.
      • In 1770 there were about 14,000 black people in Britain as a result of the slave trade, but few had real freedom.
      • During WWI 60,000 seamen were drafted from the British Empire as well as many soldiers. Some remained in Britain during the interwar years. There were riots against black settlers in 1919.
      • Britain started to become a multicultural nation after WWII.
    • After WWII
      • Many British politicians poke proudly of Britain's fight against the racism of Nazi Germany and insisted Britain was different.
      • There were relatively few black or Asian people living in Britain.
      • Many soldiers from the Commonweal-th had fought for Britain in WWII.
      • The 1948 British Nationality Act have all 800 million members of the Commonweal-th the right to claim British citizenship.
      • Immigration from the Commonweal-th was not restricted until 1962.
      • From 1955 to 1961 around 30,000 people a year emigrated from the Commonweal-th to Britain.
    • Why was Immigration so High?
      • Britain had a shortage of workers after WWII.
      • London Transport went to the Caribbean to recruit workers.
      • Working in Britain was seen as an opportunity to earn good wages which they could send back to their families.
      • Incentives like interest free loans were offered to cover the costs of moving to Britain.
    • Problems
      • Racial tensions soon developed.
      • Highly skilled immigrants were working in unskilled jobs.
      • Living conditions for immigrants were cramped.
      • Language barriers made working difficult.
      • Newspapers publish sensationalist headlines painting immigrants in a negative way.
      • Immigrants faced attacks from white men due to jealousy over women.
    • The Notting Hill Riots 1958
      • There was a large Caribbean population living in Notting Hill in the 1950s.
      • In 1958, groups of white men armed with knives and petrol bombs attacked the black community.
      • Over 100 people were arrested.
      • 1 year later, Kelso Cochrane was killed in a racially motivated murder in Notting Hill.
    • New Laws
      • 1962 Commonweal-th Immigration Act- Migrants must have a prearranged job before coming to Britain.
      • 1965 and 1968 Race Relations Acts- Discrimination in employment and housing banned. Incitement of racial hatred banned.
      • 1968 Commonweal-th Immigrants Act- As well as a job they must have a parent or grandparent in the UK
      • 1971 Immigration Act- Employment vouchers replaced with 12 month work permits.

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Immigration resources »