Britain 24- Britain by 1957 Flashcards
(21 cards)
what is a famous example of migration from the commonwealth to Britain?
Empire Windrush sailed from Jamaica to London May 1948 carrying 492 migrant workers
which countries did migrants to Britain mainly come from?
India, Pakistan and the West Indies, Ireland
which act enabled increased migration to Britain and what did it ?
British nationality act- 1948- allowed anyone from British colonies to enter the UK legally
how many immigrants arrived in 1948?
250,000 from west indies and other parts in the new commonwealth
what were the pull factors for immigrants to come to Britain?
-the attraction that Britain had as the ‘Mother country’
-many immigrants learnt about Britain in school and many would have an unrealistic, glamorous image of Britain as a good place to live + work
which british companies took advantage of immigration and how?
organisations like the British hotels + restaurants association, London transport + NHS took advantage of a supply of cheap labour
what were the push factors for immigration to Britain?
-economic problems in home countries
-restrictions on immigration to the USA meant Britain was first choice
give an example of racism in Britain
front door of a guest house in Birmingham 1955, sign: no blacks, no dogs,
how were public attitudes to immigration mixed?
for some= general feeling of tolerance and ‘getting along’ but many examples of outright racism
give examples of complaints about immigrants
-their use of NHS + dole when they had not made social service contributions
-that they were prepared to work for longer hours for less money which kept wages low
-bringing crime into the country
-unwillingness to mix with local communities
how many Britons migrated from Britain in the 1950s?
1.32 mill
how did immigrants face discrimination in the workplace?
companies like Vickers and Tate and Lyle enforced a quota system that allowed only 5% of jobs to go to non-white people. called the ‘colour bar’
why did the govt not take action against racism?
despite receiving complaints from immigrants, govt took no action a with Lord Salisbury arguing that if the govt did take action then it would make Britain more desirable to immigrants
which gangs in particular increased racial tension and what did this ultimately lead to?
Teddy boy gangs -> race riots in summer of 1958
when were plans made to develop a British nuclear weapon?
Jan 1947
how many atmospheric tests did Britain complete, where and when?
12 1952-57 Australian territories like Maralinga
what was the negative impacts of the atmospheric tests?
serious contamination as a result of tests + in years after, Britain involved in massive clean up operations and also had to fight claims for compensation from both indigenous people and service men affected by tests
when was Britains Hydrogen bomb tested?
1957
what were public opinions on nuclear armament?
in early 1950s, in favour of Britain developing nuclear weapons with 60% approving of a British atomic bomb- 1952
which group opposed nuclear weapons building and how?
TGWU
1956, Cousins, became leader of TGWU and led fierce opposition to Britain having weapons. at same conference where Bevan gave his speech in support of nuclear weapons, Cousins tried to persuade support for unilateralism but was defeated
what was the campaign against nuclear weapons?
CND- the campaign for nuclear disarmament
