Immigration and Race Relations in Britain Flashcards

Flashcards about immigration and race relations in Britain

1919 The Aliens Restriction Act

Required people from abroad to register with the police which meant they could be deported and restricted where they could live. Further restricted employment rights in aid to end labour shortages and to give jobs to Britain Born.

1919 Race Riots

In Liverpool, Cardiff and Glasgow. Violent clashes between returning soldiers and Asian, Arab, West Indian, and African seamen as seen as a threat to their jobs. Included racist taunts attacking of houses, covarage by media was hostile

1919 Repatriation Campaign

Government program that sent home Black and Arab colonial workers. Despite many penalities many refused.

Eugenics

Originally argued in favor of racial purity, but was discredited by Hitler's racial policies which were similar to Eugenics

British Union of Fascists

Formed by Oswald Mosley; was antisemitic (discredited by Hitler) and wanted to get rid of immigrants.

The Battle of Cable Street

Antifascists prevented the BUF from marching through Cable Street, a Jewish area in East London.

WWII

Germans and Italians were classified as aliens and locked up in internment camps. Many colonial troops fought for Britain. 160,000 Polish Refugees escape Nazis + fought in allied army forces. Created a labour shortage - immigrants were invited to come and work

Polish Resettlement Act

Allowed Polish refugees to stay in Britain after WWI with their families.

British Nationality Act

Made all people living in the Commonwealth British citizens, settle without visa. Lead to mass imigration.

Empire Windrush Ship

Brought immigrants to Britain from the Caribbean. Many worked on trains or buses

Race Riots in Notting Hill

Riots sparked by attacks on black men and immigrants for stealing white women away from white men; highlighted racial tensions.

Caribbean Carnival

Founded by Claudia Jones to celebrate West Indian culture.

Commonwealth Immigrants Act

Aimed to restrict immigration by setting up a voucher system.

Bristol Bus Boycott

Started from the refusal of the Bristol Omnibus Company to employ black or Asian bus crews.

Race Relations Act

Banned incitement to racial hatred and racial discrimination in public places.

Race Relations Board

Set up to deal with complaints about racial discrimination.

Love Thy Neighbour/Till Death Us Do Part

Sitcoms that, in different ways, engaged with racial issues.

National Front Party

Firmly opposed immigration and multiculturalism.

Commonwealth Immigrants Act (1968)

Criticized as racist because it favored immigration from white countries.

Enoch Powell's Rivers of Blood Speech

Warned of a 'rivers of blood' scenario due to immigration.

Immigration Act (1971)

Replaced employment vouchers with 12-month work permits.

Race Relations Act (1976)

Toughened laws against racial discrimination and set up the Commission for Racial Equality.

Anti-Nazi League/Anti-Racist Alliance

Built alliances against the rise of the National Front.

The Macpherson Report

Investigated the police and found them to be institutionally racist after the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Equality Act (2006/2010)

Replaced all other anti-discrimination laws in the UK.