how far did british governements fight racial discrimination in the period 1918-79

Introduction:

Between 1918 and 1979, British governments made varying efforts to address racial discrimination. In the early part of the period, action was limited, with state policies often reflecting or enabling racial prejudice. However, from the 1960s onwards, under pressure from civil rights activism and growing public awareness, the government began to take more deliberate steps to combat discrimination. Despite this, the effectiveness and consistency of these efforts were limited. Overall, while some progress was made—especially after 1965—British governments were often reactive rather than proactive in fighting racial discrimination.

Point 1: Lack of Government Action in the Interwar and Immediate Post-War Years

Evidence:

• During the 1919 race riots in Liverpool and Cardiff, the government largely blamed Black and Asian communities, failing to address white violence.

• Aliens Order (1920) and Special Restriction Orders (1925) targeted Black and Asian seamen, requiring them to register with police and limiting job access.

Explain:
Government policy in this period often reinforced racist assumptions and did little to protect minority communities from discrimination or violence.

Counter:
Some officials were concerned about racial tension, but their actions prioritized social order over racial equality, showing minimal commitment to anti-racism.

Link:
Before the 1960s, British governments largely ignored or perpetuated racial discrimination rather than actively fighting it.

Point 2: Commonwealth Immigration and Increasing Government Restriction

Evidence:

• The British Nationality Act (1948) granted citizenship to all people in the Commonwealth, encouraging migration but not matched with support for integration.

• Growing immigration led to public anxiety, resulting in the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts (1962, 1968, 1971), which imposed increasing restrictions.

Explain:
These policies show that while the government enabled immigration, it was more focused on limiting numbers than protecting immigrants from racial hostility. The 1968 Act, in particular, was widely seen as racially motivated.

Counter:
The state did begin to acknowledge racial issues through later legislation, but this shift was reactive rather than the result of a consistent anti-discrimination agenda.

Link:
Government policy often reflected popular prejudice, suggesting limited effort to challenge discrimination until much later in the period.

Point 3: Race Relations Legislation in the 1960s and 70s

Evidence:

• The Race Relations Act (1965) was Britain’s first anti-discrimination law, banning discrimination in public places.

• The 1968 Act extended this to housing and employment, and the 1976 Act created the Commission for Racial Equality and outlawed indirect discrimination.

Explain:
These acts represented a clear shift in government policy towards actively challenging racial inequality and building a legal framework to protect minority communities.

Counter:
Enforcement was weak: the 1965 Act didn’t cover many important areas, and even the 1976 Act struggled to change entrenched attitudes. Institutional racism persisted in policing, education, and housing.

Link:
Though late and often limited, these laws show that by the 1970s the government was at least publicly committed to fighting racial discrimination.

conc

onclusion:

While there were some efforts by British governments to combat racial discrimination between 1918 and 1979, particularly from the mid-1960s onwards, these were often slow, limited, and reactive. Early in the period, policies tended to reinforce discrimination, and even later legislation was shaped by political pressure rather than proactive commitment to equality. Overall, the government did fight racial discrimination, especially in the later decades, but not consistently or forcefully enough to claim full success.