New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Post-war migration to Britain

I can explain how the conditions in post-war Britain led to an increase in migration from the Caribbean and Europe.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Post-war migration to Britain

I can explain how the conditions in post-war Britain led to an increase in migration from the Caribbean and Europe.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. As a result of the damage caused by the Second World War, Britain was in need of 1.3 million workers.
  2. The 1948 Nationality Act increased the number of migrants from the Commonwealth.
  3. New laws were intended to encourage the migration of workers from predominantly white nations (e.g. Ireland and Poland).
  4. Although their migration was encouraged, migrants often faced prejudice and hostility on arriving in Britain.

Keywords

  • Commonwealth - an international community made up of Britain and many of its former colonies

Common misconception

All migrants from predominantly white nations were welcomed by authorities and local communities.

Although Irish migrants were encouraged to migrate, they often faced hostility on arriving in Britain. Like Caribbean migrants, many struggled to find suitable accommodation as landlords were unwilling to rent to them.

Emphasise that race played an increasing role in the experiences of migrants in the 20th century, however, it was not the only defining feature - as seen in the experiences of Irish migrants.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why did Britain turn to its colonies to find soldiers during World War One (WW1)?
British men refused to fight.
Correct answer: They needed to vastly expand their army.
Correct answer: Many colonies already had standing armies.
The war took place in the colonies.
Q2.
How many soldiers from the colonies fought for Britain?
Correct Answer: 3 million, nearly 3 million, three million, nearly three million
Q3.
Why did many British citizens become hostile towards demobilised black and Asian troops?
They were in competition for the best-paid jobs.
Correct answer: There was not enough employment.
There was not enough food.
Q4.
What violent event occurred in Liverpool in June 1919?
Correct Answer: race riots, race riot, Race riots, Race riot
Q5.
What did the government introduce in 1925 which affected migration?
Benefits for migrants who came to Britain
Correct answer: The Special Restrictions Order
Checks to limit passports for Indian people
Q6.
Where did migrants serve in the army during World War Two (WW2)?
Correct answer: the frontlines
the countryside
the inner cities
Correct answer: the Home Front

6 Questions

Q1.
How did Britain suffer after World War Two (WW2)?
Correct answer: Parts of cities had been destroyed.
It was hit by extreme weather events.
Correct answer: 70 000 civilians had been killed.
Many soldiers preferred to stay in Europe.
Q2.
How many people were needed to rebuild Britain after WW2?
130 000
Correct answer: 1.3 million
13 million
Q3.
What is the name of the international community made up of Britain and her former colonies?
Correct Answer: The Commonwealth, the commonwealth, Commonwealth, commonwealth
Q4.
Which European migrants to post-war Britain faced similar levels of discrimination to Caribbean migrants?
Correct Answer: Irish migrants, The Irish, Irish, Irish people
Q5.
Why did some Polish people in Britain not want to return to Poland after WW2?
Britain refused to allow Poles to emigrate.
Correct answer: Fear of communist persecution in Poland
Polish government bans on immigration.
Correct answer: Few opportunities in Poland due to scale of destruction
Q6.
How did the British government support Polish migrants after WW2?
Correct answer: passed the Polish Resettlement Act
gave Polish migrants free housing
paid for their children to be privately educated

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