Immigration Quiz

Question	Answer
What were the 3 main waves of immigration?	Wave 1: took place due to WW2 and the events leading up to it. Wave 2: once the war was over, government set up recruitment agencies in Ireland and the West Indies to help get the peacetime economy going (e.g. by working for TFL or the newly formed NHS). Wave 3: late 1960s/ early 1970s immigration of Asian people mainly from India and Pakistan.
Which immigrants were living in Britain by 1945?	Former prisoners of war who chose to stay in Britain; Jews, Poles and other Europeans who had fled the chaos and persecution of post war Europe; Irish people who formed the largest immigrant group throughout the 20th century (nearly 1 million after WW2)
What was the British Nationality Act? What was its impact?	1948 act gave British Citizenship to millions of citizens of present and former colonies. This gave them the right to live in Britain. Because of the act employers began to look beyond Europe in the recruitment drive that aimed to rebuild Britain after WW2. This drive particularly focussed on the Caribbean, leading to a wave of immigration. Between 1955-1962 250,000 Caribbean immigrants came to Britain.
What was the Windrush?	The SS Empire Windrush brought the first large group of migrant workers to Britain, a hugely symbolic moment that laid the foundations for the multicultural society Britain is today. Transport was offered by a half-load ship whose captain wanted to increase profit. It left Jamaica in May 1948 with 300 passengers below decks and 192 above, mainly coming from Trinidad and Jamaica.
What happened to the passengers of the Windrush when they reached London?	236 had nowhere to live and these were temporarily housed in a shelter previously used by prisoners of war. 202 found jobs straightaway, many in the NHS but most with London Transport helping to run the trains and the buses. Most did settle quickly and successfully into Britain. They earned money which they sent homes.
Outline the debate the SS Empire Windrush sparked.	Some MPs disapproved of the nationality act and said the Windrush's passengers had no right to come and live and work in Britain, and so ought to be turned away on arrival. Others argued that many of the passengers were ex-servicemen who had fought for Britain in WW2 who the country owed a debt of gratitude. It was thought many immigrants would stay for less than a year, Britain needed all the workers it could get and as the passengers had British passports they couldn't be turned away. Many who opposed immigration saw it as a 'race' issue. Many employers saw immigration as a perfect solution to labour shortages in that it provided a supply of eager, hard-working young people.
Why did Caribbean immigration to Britain only rocket in the early 1950s?	Despite living conditions in the Caribbean (poor wages, healthcare and education, economy devastated by two hurricanes and sugar trade very depressed) and the fact there was a strong tradition of migrant amongst young West Indians the cost of getting to Britain was too expensive for most people and the USA was a more attractive option for those who did travel. In 1949 and 1950 only a few hundred arrived in Britain. Two things changed this: 1952 USA restricted immigration from 65,000 down to 800 a year; 1956 London Transport started a scheme which paid workers boat fares which could be paid back gradually out of earnings. By the late 1950s money being sent from workers from Britain was the second largest source of income for Jamaica.
How/why did immigration patterns change in the 1960s and 70s? (get 3)	1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act. Nature of immigration changed from young men who did not intend to settle to increasingly women and children joining family members already in the country. They intended to stay in Britain for good. Immigration from India and Pakistan outpaced immigration from the Caribbean. Asian migration was increased by events in Kenya, in 1967, and Uganda, in 1972. Throughout this period more people left people than came as countries such as Canada and Australia encouraged emigration of white people from Britain by offering inducements such as cheap fares.
What Asian immigration occurred in the 1950s?	As the 1948 Nationality Act gave citizenship to the people of India there was some migration at this time. After India gained independence and was partitioned, in 1948, violence followed and some groups, particularly Sikhs from the Punjab, fled to Britain. They mainly settled in the West Midlands and worked in engineering. Asian immigration continued throughout the 1950s.
What was the 1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act? What was its impact?	Voucher system introduced, only immigrants with a valuable skill or who could take jobs in shortage areas could come to Britain. This aimed to restrict immigration from Asia and the West Indies. However a short term impact was an increase in immigration. In 1961 130,000 people came to Britain to avoid the act, this was more than the number of immigrants in the previous 5 years combined.
What was the nature of Asian immigration in the 1960s and early 1970s?	Some highly skilled professionals and business people others rural labourers. For example many of those displaced by the building of the Mirpur dam in Kashmir and spent their compensation money on a one-way ticket to Britain. However the two most significant waves of Asian immigration were not from the Indian Subcontinent but from Africa.
What was the background to Kenyan Immigration to Britain?	Indians began migrating to East Africa in the mid-19th century and had become central to the country's prosperity, for example by working in banking, business and insurance.
What happened once Kenya became independent?	When Kenya became independent from the UK in 1963 over 100,000 Asians lived their. The new Kenyan government, led by Jomo Kenyatta, gave the asians a choice. They were told they had to choose between Kenyan and British Nationality. 95,000 chose to keep their British passports. Asians in Kenya had long faced resentment as they generally more successful than Black Kenyans, this resentment grew and in 1967 all non-Kenyan Asians were foreigners and could only stay on a temporary basis. Other measures included a ban on non Kenyan citizens holding work permits. Many fled to Britain. In 1967 1,000 began arriving in Britain every week and were greeted by the media. In all 20,000 came to Britain before the government limited how many could come in 1968.
What was the 1968 Commonwealth Immigrants Act? What was its impact?	Reduced the number of work vouchers, to 1,500, and introduced a close connection clause. This meant either you, your parent or grandparent had to be born in Britain. This favoured white countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand whilst limiting Black and Asian immigrants, particularly Kenyan Asians. Critics of the act said it was racist.
What caused, and what happened during, the mass immigration of Ugandan Asians to Britain in 1972?	In the late 1960s Uganda was one of the most prosperous economies in Africa, in part thanks to the contribution of the Asian community. As in Kenya resentment towards Asians built up. Idi Amin, Uganda's military dictator, condemned the entire Asian population as 'bloodsuckers' and expelled them. All 60,000 had to leave within 90 days. Amin believed Britain would have to take them and this was seen as a retaliation against Britain's refusal to give Uganda aid. Amin then had a slight change of mind and decreed that all professionals would have to stay and if they tried to leave they would be committing treason. Britain offered Ugandan Asians a choice of an Indian or British passport, the majority choose Britain as it offered greater stability. 27,000 Ugandan Asians flew into Britain with nothing more than they could carry.
How did the experiences of West Indian immigrants compare to their expectations of life in Britain?	Expectations: high as many were coming at invitation of Government or employers. In addition black soldiers stationed in Britain had been greeted warmly by many communities around Britain and were treated as equals. This meant incoming immigrants believed Britain was a tolerant nation. Reality: Underlying attitudes of racial superiority and suspicion of 'coloured' foreigners emerged and immigrants often came face to discrimination. This became known as the 'colour bar'. Many immigrants didn't feel welcome and suffered mistreatment in areas such as housing, employment and leisure.
How were the West Indians discriminated against in housing? Where did they tend to live?	Many owners of boarding houses would put up notices saying 'no coloureds' claiming it would upset neighbours or other tenants. Most only wanted rented accommodation as they didn't want to stay in Britain for a long time and as you had to live in the UK for 5 years before you could apply for council housing immigrants were at the mercy of the few private landlords who would take them. They tended to live in low-quality housing in inner-city areas and were often exploited. West Indian communities were focussed in poverty-stricken areas of London e.g. Jamaicans in Brixton, Trinidadians and Barbadians in Notting Hill etc. Outside the capital similar communities grew in areas including Moss Side (Manchester) and Handsworth (Birmingham).
Give an example of Caribbean immigrants being exploited in housing.	Peter Rachman owned over 100 West London properties. He got rid of white residents then subdivided houses into many subunits and then packed them with young immigrants who paid inflated rents.
What problems did immigrants face in employment during the 1950s?	Although they found it easy to get a job one survey found that half of West Indians in the late 1950s (in London) were over-qualified for the job they were doing. They were often overlooked for promotions and were encouraged not to gain qualifications that would have increased the chances of this occurring. Immigrants also faced opposition from trade unions and from white colleagues who viewed them as a threat. Opponents of immigration accused immigrants of coming to Britain to cash in on the benefit system, in spite of the fact most immigrants were employed and many had come to Britain at the government's request. However not all immigrants were treated badly and some relished their new life in Britain.
Give an example of trade union action against 'coloured' workers.	1955 transport workers in West Midlands went on strike over increasing numbers of black workers (although in West Bromwich this equated to one black bus conductor). The Transport and General Workers Union demanded that no more than 5% of bus drivers could be black. In 1958 the Trades Union Congress passed a resolution calling for an end to all immigrant workers entering the country.
What discrimination did immigrants from the West Indies face in terms of entertainment?	2/3 of immigrants were single young men who had a great deal of leisure time. They had come to Britain for adventure and excitement. However many pubs banned black drinkers or gave them such a aggressive welcome that they would never go there. Instead they would go to, often unlicensed, drinking clubs. These gained a reputation for prostitution, gambling and fighting. In reality most were simply places for friends to meet and relax but in places like Notting Hill clubs added to the tension between black and white residents. Even some churches turned away, or made unwelcome, black people.
How many immigrants from the New Commonwealth lived in Britain by 1958? Give two reasons as to why racial discrimination turned violent.	200,000. There was an economic downturn after years of growth so white people began blaming immigrants for 'taking our jobs'. A new gang culture was emerging among white youths, epitomised by the Teddy Boys.
What happened in Nottingham in 1958?	A number of attacks on black people including a black miner who was beaten as he came out of a cinema with his wife. Black people felt increasingly unsafe walking the streets. Events came to a head on the 23rd August when fighting broke out for over an hour between black and white people. One response to this violence was that the MPs called for an end to black immigration to Britain.
What built racial tension in Notting Hill?	The area had one of the largest West Indian communities in Britain. The fascist organisation Union Movement led by Oswald Mosley tried to exploit growing resentment of coloured people. They set up an office in Notting Hill calling for people to stop immigration, the leaflets featured black people with spears entering Britain. KBW (keep Britain white) was sprayed on many walls.
What happened in Notting Hill in August 1958?	A Swedish women was attacked by a group of whites in Notting Hill because she was married to a Jamaican. A crowd of 400, including many Teddy Boys, began a 'nigger hunt' and the rioting began. Two nights of attacks on black people and their property followed, including the petrol bombing of some houses. The Black population received no protection from the police. However on the third night they fought back and at that stage the police intervened to stop the fighting. Many arrests were made.
Who was Kelso Cochrane? What was the impact of what happened to him?	In May 1959 Kelso Cochrane was stabbed to death by 6 white youths in Notting Hill. The police never arrested the killer and dismissed the suggestion that the attacks were racially motivated. 1,200 people turned up at his funeral to show their anger and sorrow for what had happened.
What were the consequences of the violence of 1958 and '59?	Violence widely condemned and most British people appalled. Violence was the exception not the norm and this is why is had such an impact. In addition there are many examples of white people protecting their black neighbours, even during the Notting Hill Riots. Main impacts: immigration became a national political issue with all major parties developed policies to limit new commonwealth ('coloured') immigration. At the same time people realised racism needed to be tackled so local communities tried to build better relationships between black and white people. For example the St. Pancras carnival (which later became the Notting Hill Carnival) was set up as a direct response to the violence. However it was another seven year until the government attempted to outlaw racial discrimination.
Who was Claudia Jones?	After being deported from the USA for activities in the communist party she came to London in 1955. She set up the West Indian Gazette, the first newspaper for the West Indian community of Britain. She also helped set up, what would become, the Notting Hill carnival.
Where did Asian immigrants tend to settle?	In the textile towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire. By 1971, 10% of the population of Bradford was Pakistani. One of the largest communities was in Leicester, throughout the 1970s the Asian population quadrupled, by 1981 it was the most 'non-white' city in Britain.
How were the experiences of Asian immigrants different from that of Caribbean immigrants? (get 3)	1) Whilst Caribbean immigrants tended to regard themselves as British and had high expectations, very few Asians felt the same (87% of Jamaicans in Nottingham said they felt British before coming to the UK, compared to just 2% of Indians and Pakistanis). Many had been warned Britain was a wicked place full of drunks and failed marriages, because they had low expectations they were less likely to be disappointed. 2) language barrier added to racial barriers. 3) tended to keep themselves to themselves, exposing them to less discrimination. Their lives of entertainment were focussed around the home, the community and places of worship. 4) many went into business, for example owning shops, so while they didn't suffer discrimination at work, they often did from their customers. 5) Many migrants were very successful in business, although many remained very poor.
What Act was passed in 1965 in regards to immigrants rights? How successful was it?	Race Relations Act 1965- made it illegal to discriminate against against a person because of their colour or race. In 1966 the Race Relations board was set up to handle complaints about discrimination. 1965 Act failed to prevent discrimination in housing and employment and the board dismissed 734 out of 982 complaints received and lacked powers to enforce its decisions. Neither measure changed attitudes.
What did Roy Jenkins say in 1966? Who was trying to expose discrimination at this time?	The Labour Home Secretary, responsible for immigration policy recognised, in a speech to the National Committee for Commonwealth immigrants, recognise that many immigrants had decided to make it their home, rather than a place to work for a few years before returning home. He argued that both immigrant communities and white British people had to work together to integrate. At the same time organisation such as the Campaign against Racial Discrimination (CARD) were established to expose racial discrimination.
When was the National Front formed? What did they do?	1967- A far right political party dedicated to ending immigration and to the repatriation of all immigrants.
Who was Enoch Powell? What did he do in April 1968?	Respected Conservative Politician and former health minister. Had been instrumental in recruiting 18,000 Indian Doctors which made the NHS possible. In April 1968 he made his infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech in which he said 'the black man will have the whip hand over the white man' and that if immigration continued rivers will be 'foaming with blood.'
What was the reaction to Powell's speech?	Enoch was sacked from the shadow cabinet and never returned, many people in Britain disagreed with him. However 300 out of 412 Conservative constituency associations hailed Powell as a 'brave prophet.' In his own constituency of Wolverhampton 75% of people said they agreed with what he said. In London, dock workers stopped work to march through London in support of him. The speech caused a mighty stir in the immigration debate, it galvanised opinion and action on both sides.
What act was passed after Powell's speech? How successful was it?	1968 Race Relations Act, not exactly what Powell had in mind. The Act made discrimination illegal in areas such as housing and employment. However it was hard to enforce as employers could discriminate indirectly, for example by claiming another candidate had more experience.
How had immigrants contributed to British society by the early 1970s in the NHS and Public transport?	Without immigrant workers many public services wouldn't have functioned. The NHS led the way in the 1940s and even thirty years later a vast number of employees, from cleaners to surgeons, were either immigrants or descended from immigrants. In addition the buses and trains in many cities, particularly London, depended very heavily on immigrant workers.
How did immigrants contribute to industry and inner cities?	Industry: saved industries. For example Bradford textile mills were in trouble because the cost of production was more than the retail value. The arrival of 100,000, mainly Pakistani, immigrants who were prepared to work hard for low wages saved many mills. Even more were employed in engineering, particularly in the West Midlands. Inner cities: immigrants moved in to some of the most rundown areas of Britain's inner cities and subsequently rebuilt many homes. In addition many Asian immigrants set up corner shops. In the 1960s many local shops were closing down but Asians revived this kind of business, providing black, Asian and white communities with a vital service. In Dewsbury all 37 off-licences were owned by Asian families.
How many non-white people lived in Britain in 1971?	Risen from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.2 million in 1971 (2% of the population).
How did immigrants contribute to British culture?	Although those living outside large cities were unlikely to have ever seen an immigrant, in urban areas immigrants had left a significant impact on British culture. They impacted in four main areas. Food: introduction of Chinese (90% of immigrants from Hong Kong gone into restaurant trade), Indian (2,000 Indian restaurants by 1976) etc. Music: Bob Marley etc. show West Indian music became part of British culture. Also introduced Britain to carnaval (e.g. Notting Hill) Religion: Hindu and Islam brought to Britain, Caribbean immigrants revived Britain's churches. Popular Culture: Trevor Macdonald became first black newsreader in 1973. Some TV shows focused on attitudes to race and immigration (e.g. Love Thy Neighbour)
Give two individual immigrants who contributed to Britain.	Sybil Phoenix: arrived in Britain in 1956 from Guyana. Was an orphan so wanted to help orphans. Became a foster parent and gave a home to more than 100 children. Opened a youth club and helped found race relations groups. 1971 awarded an MBE and 1973 mayoress of Lewisham. Sir Anwar Pervez: Arrived from Pakistan in 1956, drove buses before opening a convenience store in Earls Court in 1962. Grew into Bestway chain and Pervez became very wealthy. Bestway foundation helps to fund schools in needy areas.
Sum up the situation by 1975.	1970s major economic crisis Britain had to be bailed out by IMF. Massive unemployment increased racial tension. 1972 Leicester City Council warned the 'entire fabric of the city' was at risk because of immigration. National Front gained supporters and in Leicester gained 18% of vote in a local election. Black and Asians communities faced higher unemployment rates than the UK average, the idea of equal opportunity had not been achieved. Skinheads became infamous for 'Paki-bashing' focus on Asian communities in London. Stones thrown at windows, eggs and tomatoes hurled at families who dared step outside. Following a murder in 1976 National Front said 'one down, a million to go'.
What Act was passed in 1976? How successful was it?	Racial Equality Act- made racially offensive music or publications illegal and set up tribunals so job applicants who felt they were suffering discrimination could report the employer. The act set up the commission for Racial Equality to investigate racism. This was a very positive move but showed earlier measures had not eradicated racism from British society.

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