Refugees and asylum seekers in modern Britain
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the changing patterns of migration of refugees in the modern period, including the impact of changing laws and attitudes.
Key learning points
- The 1905 Aliens Act was the first law to distinguish between refugees and other migrants.
- During World War Two, Britain allowed 10 000 Jewish refugees to settle as part of the Kindertransport programme.
- International instability after the end of the Cold War meant increasing numbers of people migrating to safer countries.
- From the 1990s, the British government gradually introduced laws restricting the migration of refugees.
Keywords
Cold War - an ideological conflict between the USA and the USSR that lasted from the 1940s until the 1980s
Civil war - a war between citizens of the same country
Common misconception
Refugees were more welcome than other migrants as Britain wanted to support the idea that they were a liberal and tolerant nation.
Refugees were sometimes more welcome than other migrants. The British government was often careful with their criteria for who was classed as a refugee and, from the 1990s, introduced a number of laws to restrict access to Britain for refugees.
Teacher tip
Students could consider international legislation on human rights and consider how far a country like Britain should uphold these rights for people who were not born in Britain.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the following sentence: Britain and some of its former colonies made up an international community known as the .
Q2.When did the Treaty of Rome bring about the creation of the EEC?
Q3.What did the 'free movement of people' from 1992 onwards result in?
Q4.In how many years between 1995 and 2004 did over 10 000 European people settle in Britain?
Q5.What was UKIP's position on migration?
Q6.Match the following causes to their effects.
The EEC was created.
Britain was successful on its third attempt to join.
This led to increased immigration from the EU and economic growth.
This led to decreased migration from the EU and economic decline.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What scheme did Britain introduce to help Jewish children persecuted by the Nazis?
Q2.What word describes a war between citizens of the same country?
Q3.The end of which war created international instability and increased numbers of refugees?
Q4.How did Britain want to appear in its approach to refugees in the later 20th century?
Q5.What scandal occurred in 2012 as a result of the British government's announcement of a 'hostile environment' for illegal migrants?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Refugees and asylum seekers in modern Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Refugees and asylum seekers in modern Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Migrants in Britain, c800–present unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.