The impact of WW2 & New Commonwealth immigration

Question 1

‘New Commonwealth’ 1945-58

Answer 1

‘Old’ - predominantly white countries, part of BE.
‘New’ - predominantly black and Asian countries, part of BE.

Question 2

Causes of mass immigration

Answer 2

Serious labour shortage after the war.
Government policy - 1948 British Nationality Act.

Question 3

HMT Empire Windrush

Answer 3

Arrived in June 1948 - brought 492 people from Jamaica to Britain, celebrated as the beginning of mass migration.

Question 4

Impact of mass migration

Answer 4

Neither Labour nor Conservatives welcomed immigration.
Attlee and Churchill actively discouraged immigration from the ‘New Commonwealth’ - considered limiting, repatriation.

Question 5

Quotas on employment

Answer 5

Quota system - 95% of jobs go to white people.
Similar agreement in public transport - 1955 white transport workers went on strike due to rule breach, Wolverhampton.

Question 6

White violence

Answer 6

Many white people resented what they perceived as pressure on local facilities.
Housing, schools, healthcare provision due to the influx.

Question 7

1958 Race Riots

Answer 7

August bank holiday - series of racist attacks in various cities.
Nottingham to Notting Hill in London.
Initial television coverage may have prompted further disturbances.
Tensions were largely the result of cultural differences and pressure on the availability of accommodation.
Immigration in already overcrowded areas caused problems.