The Impact of Migrants on Modern Britain: Comprehensive Notes

Prior Learning and Objectives

  • Challenge Task: Evaluate the impact of migration on modern Britain.
    • Gold: Evaluate the most significant impact.
    • Silver: Explain the impact.
    • Bronze: Describe the impact.
  • Learning Objective: Evaluate the impact of migrants on Britain in the modern period.

Migration to Britain: Reasons and Experiences

  • Reasons for Migration: Migrants came to Britain from:
    • The Caribbean.
    • The EU after 1973.
    • India and Pakistan.
    • Kenya and Uganda.
    • Asylum seekers and refugees after 1950.
    • Significant migration during the Second World War.
  • Experiences During Wartime: Positive experiences for some groups during WW1 and WW2.
  • Post-WW2 Discrimination: Increased levels of racism and discrimination after WW2.
  • Combating Racism: Introduction of measures to combat racism and discrimination after WW2.
  • Controversial Views: Enoch Powell's infamous 1968 speech suggesting Britain was being flooded by migrants.

Extended Answer Support: Migration Experiences

  • Focus Question: "The experiences of all black and Asian migrants to Britain were all negative during the period 1945-1980.” How far do you agree?
  • Key Topics:
    • Race Riots (Brixton and Burnley).
    • Black Migrants in Bristol.
    • Race Relations Acts.
    • Role of Media.
    • Politics (Powell and BNP/NF).
    • Asian Migrants in Leicester.
    • Role of the Police.

Long Term Recap: Historical Migration Impacts

  • Norman Migrants (11th Century): Built castles and monasteries.
  • Jewish Migrants: Lent money to Medieval kings and helped the English economy.
  • Viking Migrants: Belief in gods like Thor, Odin, and Loki; helped build up the northern city of York.
  • Huguenots: Contributed to the wool/cloth trade in Early Modern England.
  • Flemish and Walloon Weavers (Late 1500s): Aided the economies of Sandwich and Canterbury, respectively.
  • Irish Migrants (1800s): Worked as navvies digging out canals and tunnels.
  • Michael Marks: Jewish migrant who established Marks & Spencer's in 1894.

Categorizing the Impact of Migrants

  • Migrants have significantly contributed to various areas of life in modern Britain, including:
    • Economic Impact
    • Political Impact
    • Religious Impact
    • Cultural Impact
  • Some contributions may fall into multiple categories.

Specific Examples of Migrant Contributions

  • Political Impact:
    • Formation of new political parties like the National Front, British National Party (BNP), and Anti-Nazi League.
    • Government responses to public attitudes on migration, including laws to protect or restrict migrants.
    • Harold Moody's League of Coloured People fought for black rights.
    • Doreen Lawrence's fight for justice after her son's murder led to reforms and charities.
    • Diane Abbott became the first black woman MP in 1987.
    • Rishi Sunak became Chancellor in 2020 and a Conservative Party leadership candidate.
    • The British government's support for movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM).
  • Economic Impact:
    • Jamaican nurses (5,000 by 1965) supported the NHS after its creation in 1948.
    • 300,000 migrants from India and Pakistan in West Midlands manufacturing and engineering after WW2.
    • Asian families revived poorer city districts and opened corner shops in the 1960s.
    • Doctors from India and Pakistan in the NHS (12% of doctors trained overseas by 1955).
    • 100,000 migrants from Pakistan accepted lower wages in Bradford’s textile mills after WW2.
    • Migrant festivals and celebrations attract tourists.
    • Many jobs in agriculture and manufacturing are filled by European Union (especially Eastern European) workers.
    • Caribbean migrants worked for London Transport as bus conductors, drivers, and station staff after WW2.
  • Religious Impact:
    • Caribbean migrants influenced Christian worship styles with gospel singing.
    • Cities built mosques and hold Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr.
    • Increased multi-faith society with churches, mosques, and temples.
  • Cultural Impact:
    • The British media has embraced multiculturalism with diverse presenters, actors, writers, and directors.
    • Famous sports figures with migrant backgrounds have contributed to national teams (e.g., Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis).
    • The Notting Hill Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture and attracts over 1 million people.
    • Foods from migrant families have become part of British cuisine (e.g., Fish and Chips, Indian and Chinese takeaway, Pizza).
    • The British music industry includes artists from various migrant cultures.

Assessing the Biggest Impact

  • Consider the relative significance of migrants' contributions in the following areas:
    • Economic Impact
    • Political Impact
    • Religious Impact
    • Cultural Impact

Consequences of Migrant Contributions

  • Examine the impact/consequences of migrant contributions to British society.
    • Example: The building of more mosques, churches, and temples led to Britain becoming a multi-faith society, increasing understanding between religions.

Exam Practice: Comparing Impacts

  • Explain differences and similarities in the impact of migrants across different centuries (e.g., 19th vs. 20th century, 20th vs. 12th century).
  • Explain similarities in the impact of migrants from different regions (e.g. Caribbean vs. Asia in the period c.1900-present).

Exam Practice: Explaining Significance

  • Explain why migrants had a significant impact on British society in the period c.1900-present, considering factors like political and cultural change.
  • Evaluate the statement that the economic impact was the most significant consequence of migration to Britain in the period c1900 – present, and take into account information about manufacturing and culture.

Plenary: Examples of Migrant Contributions

  • Give specific examples of contributions/impacts made by migrants in the following categories:
    • Buildings
    • Religion
    • Sport
    • Food
    • Economy
    • Pressure Groups
    • Media
    • Politics
    • Festivals
    • Public Services

Unit Overview: Migration in Modern Britain (c.1900-Modern)

  • Migration became a key issue dividing public opinion.
  • The government balanced voter opinions with considerations for the economy, society, and migrant rights.
  • Legislation was introduced to limit immigration and protect migrant rights.
  • Public awareness of migration is high.

Impact on Politics

  • Key Individuals:
    • Harold Moody: Founded the League of Coloured Peoples.
    • Bernie Grant: First black person to lead a local council, campaigned for civil rights.
    • Sadiq Khan: First Muslim and Asian Mayor of London.
    • Diane Abbott: First black woman MP.
    • Rishi Sunak: Conservative MP who became Chancellor.
    • Ed and David Miliband: Labour Party MPs, parents escaped Nazi-occupied Belgium.
  • Political Parties:
    • The National Front: Banned non-white immigration.
    • British National Party: Similar aims to the National Front.
    • The Anti-Nazi League: Fought against far-right fascist groups.
  • Political Pressure Groups:
    • Show Racism the Red Card: Uses high-profile footballers to combat racism.
    • Black Lives Matter: Protests against police brutality and racial violence.
    • Doreen Lawrence: Campaigned for justice after her son's murder, leading to police reforms.
    • Malala Yousafzai: Championed girls' education, granted asylum in Britain.

Impact on Public Services

  • Manufacturing:
    • 100,000 migrants (mainly from Pakistan) worked in Bradford’s textile mills.
    • 300,000 migrants in manufacturing and engineering in the West Midlands.
  • Transport:
    • London Transport recruited in Barbados.
    • Women recruited as bus conductors, station staff, and canteen workers.
    • In 1968, 9,000 out of 73,000 London Transport employees were from an ethnic minority.
  • NHS:
    • Immigrants vital for the NHS through recruitment campaigns in British colonies.
    • 5,000 Jamaican nurses in the NHS by 1965.
    • Doctors from India, Pakistan, Caribbean, and African countries such as Ghana.
    • By 1955, 12% of NHS doctors were trained overseas, and 12% of student nurses were migrants.
    • More nurses from Ireland migrated to Britain when the NHS was created in 1948, and by 1971, 12% of Britain’s nurses were from Ireland.
    • By 2003, nearly 30% of doctors and 43% of NHS nurses were born outside the UK.

Impact on Culture

  • Urban Buildings:
    • Migrants rebuilt run-down areas, introducing new businesses.
    • Revived local corner shops.
    • Opened restaurants with diverse foods.
    • Created lively tourist destinations.
  • Religion:
    • Caribbean Christians revived Christianity.
    • Cities built mosques.
    • Introduced the Festival of Diwali.
    • Gospel singing was introduced.
    • The Sikh Temple in Birmingham opened in 1961.
  • Food:
    • Migrant foods changed the British diet, becoming popular take-aways.
      • Kebabs (Turkish)
      • Sausages (German)
      • Fish and chips (Jewish)
      • Pizza and ice- cream (Italian)
      • Curry (Indian)
      • Chow Mein (Chinese)
  • Sport:
    • Increased acceptance of migrants through sports.
      • Marcus Rashford: footballer and campaigner.
      • Jessica Ennis: Olympic gold medalist in Heptathlon.
      • Mo Farah: Successful British runner born in Somalia.
      • English Cricket: Players from India, South Africa, New Zealand and the Caribbean.
  • Media & Music:
    • Greater exposure of ethnic minorities since the 1980s.
      • Moira Stuart: First Afro-Caribbean newsreader.
      • Idris Elba: British actor and director.
      • Michael Omari (Stormzy): British rapper.
      • Rita Ora: Singer and songwriter, refugee from former Yugoslavia.
  • Festivals:
    • Chinese New Year Celebrations.
    • The Notting Hill Carnival: Celebrates Caribbean culture.