The end of empire, the Commonwealth and changing patterns of migration
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the end of the British Empire and the emergence of the Commonwealth led to changing patterns of migration.
Key learning points
- Although the British Empire began to come to an end from the late 1940s, many former colonies joined the Commonwealth.
- As members of the Commonwealth, migration from former colonies continued.
- Increasing migration from the Commonwealth led to new laws introduced to control and limit migration.
Keywords
Decolonisation - the process of freeing a nation from colonial rule
Commonwealth - an international community made up of Britain and many of its former colonies
Common misconception
The end of the British Empire and the growth of the Commonwealth led to increasing migration from the Commonwealth throughout the second half of the 20th century.
Although migration to Britain initially increased in the second part of the 20th century, it was limited by immigration laws introduced in the 1960s - which aimed to target black and Asian migrants.
Teacher tip
Emphasise the increasing role of race in the treatment of migrants in the 20th century - not just from local communities but at a government level.
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.Why was there a need for migrants in Britain after World War Two (WW2)?
Q2.What is the word for an international community made up of Britain and many of its former colonies?
Q3.What is the name used to describe Caribbean migrants who settled in post-war Britain?
Q4.After WW2, many European migrants to Britain came from which of these countries?
Q5.Why did many Polish soldiers and their families migrate to Britain after WW2?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the term for the process of freeing a nation from colonial rule?
Q2.How many people left Commonwealth countries to settle in Britain between 1950 and 1970?
Q3.What began an era of decolonisation in the 1940s and 1950s?
Q4.Which of the following countries had become independent from Britain prior to 1947?
Q5.Which groups of post-war migrants largely faced the most hostility from both the government and local communities?
Q6.Match the following events to the correct dates.
The Commonwealth formalised
India and Pakistan gained independence.
3000 Commonwealth migrants settled in Britain every year.
136 400 Commonwealth migrants settled in Britain every year.
The first Commonwealth Immigrants Act was introduced.
The second Commonwealth Immigrants Act was introduced.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The end of empire, the Commonwealth and changing patterns of migration, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The end of empire, the Commonwealth and changing patterns of migration, 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.