Immigration to Britain in the 20th Century

This section explores Immigration to Britain in the 20th Century. After the Second World War ended in 1945, Britain faced significant challenges. Many cities had been bombed and were in ruins, requiring extensive rebuilding. Britain had not fought alone during the war—countries from across the British Empire had assisted in the battle against Nazi Germany. When the war ended, Britain needed help to rebuild and recover. It turned to the colonies for assistance, calling upon people from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, and other Commonwealth nations to come to Britain. This wave of immigration began in the late 1940s and continued for several decades, changing the social and cultural landscape of Britain.

Why Did Immigration Increase After the Wars?

Colonial Contribution to the Wars:
During both World Wars, Britain relied heavily on its colonies for military support.

• In the First World War, over 2.5 million soldiers were recruited from the British colonies.
• The Second World War saw over 4.5 million soldiers from the colonies, including large numbers from India, Canada, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Australia.

These soldiers played a vital role in securing victory, and many of them later migrated to Britain after the war.

Post-War Labour Shortage:
Following the devastation of the war, Britain faced a severe shortage of workers, particularly for low-paid and unskilled jobs in industries such as factories, hospitals, and transport. The country needed to rebuild its economy and infrastructure, and the government sought workers from the Commonwealth to fill these gaps. To facilitate this, the British Nationality Act of 1948 granted citizens of Commonwealth countries the right to settle and work in the UK.

Why Did Immigrants Want to Move to Britain?

Economic Opportunities:
The wages in Britain were far higher than those available in many Commonwealth countries, especially in the Caribbean, India, and Pakistan. For many, the promise of better job prospects and a higher standard of living was a major attraction.

The ‘Mother Country’:
Many people in the Caribbean and the Indian Subcontinent had been educated to view Britain as the ‘Mother Country’. British culture, language, and institutions were admired and seen as a source of pride. For many immigrants, moving to Britain was an opportunity to seek a better life while also responding to the call of a former colonial power that they had supported during the war.

The Experience of 20th Century Immigrants

Initial Challenges:
Although many immigrants were invited to come to Britain to help with the post-war recovery, their experiences were far from easy.

• Discrimination and Prejudice: Immigrants faced significant racism, discrimination, and violence from some sections of British society. Many immigrants struggled to find adequate housing and had to pay high rents for substandard accommodation in poorer areas of towns and cities.
• Exclusion from Financial Services: Banks often refused to lend money to immigrants, preventing them from buying property or establishing themselves economically.

As a result, many immigrant communities found themselves living in designated areas that were largely segregated by race, leading to the development of ‘Black Areas’ in major cities.

Racial Tensions:
Racism and discrimination were not limited to housing and employment. Many immigrants were employed in low-paying, unskilled jobs but faced hostility from the local white population. Tensions also arose because many of the first wave of immigrants were young, single men who had come to Britain with the intention of building a better life. This led to the stereotype among some white British men that immigrants, particularly those from the Caribbean, were competing for women and taking away opportunities for local workers.

Some companies, like the Bristol Omnibus Company, even enforced a colour bar, refusing to hire black and Asian workers.

Despite the challenges, many immigrants made vital contributions to British society. For example, immigrants played a crucial role in the formation of the National Health Service (NHS) in the late 1940s, working as doctors, nurses, and carers. Many immigrants also went on to build successful businesses and made significant contributions to the British economy and culture.

The Notting Hill Riots, 1958

In 1958, tensions between immigrant communities and white British residents led to violent clashes in areas like Notting Hill, London.

• Causes of the Riots: Much of the resentment stemmed from economic factors. Many poor, working-class white men believed that immigrants were taking their jobs and lowering wages. As immigrants settled in specific areas, there was also a phenomenon known as ‘white flight’, where white British families moved out of neighbourhoods as they became more diverse.
• The Riots: During the summer of 1958, a group of white youths, known as Teddy Boys, began attacking Caribbean immigrants and their properties. These youths were often associated with racist groups, including the White Defence League, and had been incited by anti-immigrant sentiment. The violence escalated, leading to widespread unrest in the Notting Hill area.

Enoch Powell and Immigration Reform

The racial tensions in Britain in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including the Notting Hill Riots, prompted the government to introduce new laws to curb immigration.

The Commonwealth Immigrants Act of 1962:
This act required immigrants from the Commonwealth to apply for a voucher before they could work in Britain. It was an effort to control the flow of immigrants and reduce the number of people entering the country.

Further Tightening of Immigration Rules:
In 1968, the rules were tightened further. It was stipulated that only people with parents or grandparents who were British citizens would be allowed to settle in the UK. This marked a shift towards more restrictive immigration policies.

Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech

In 1968, Enoch Powell, a Conservative Member of Parliament, delivered a speech that would become infamous in British political history.

• The Speech: Known as the ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, Powell claimed that the increasing numbers of immigrants would lead to the breakdown of British society and that it would result in violence and racial conflict. He famously warned:
  • “We must be mad, literally mad, as a nation to be permitting the annual inflow of some 50,000 dependents, who are for the most part the material of the future growth of the immigrant-descended population. It is like watching a nation busily engaged in heaping up its own funeral pyre.”
• The Controversy: The speech caused a storm of controversy. Powell was immediately sacked as the Shadow Defence Secretary by the Conservative Party. However, his views struck a chord with a large section of the British population, particularly among those who were fearful of the changes immigration was bringing to British society.

Support for Powell and the Rise of Powellism

Powell’s ideas gained significant support from sections of the population, especially those who believed in the superiority of the white British race. This support was known as Powellism.

• The National Front: Powell’s ideas also led to an increase in support for the racist National Front party, which advocated for the repatriation of all non-white immigrants. The National Front called for the mass removal of immigrants from Britain and the end of any further immigration.
• The Immigration Act of 1971: Reflecting Powell’s influence, the Immigration Act of 1971 further tightened immigration controls, making it even harder for Commonwealth citizens to migrate to the UK. It also restricted the ability of immigrants to bring their families to Britain.

Conclusion

Immigration to Britain in the 20th century had a profound impact on the country, both culturally and socially. While the contributions of immigrants to Britain were invaluable, particularly in rebuilding the country after the Second World War and in the formation of institutions like the NHS, the experience was not without challenges. Immigrants faced discrimination, prejudice, and violence, and the rise of right-wing political movements such as Powellism reflected the widespread fears and tensions surrounding immigration. Despite these difficulties, immigrant communities in Britain continued to play a vital role in shaping the country's identity and culture, even as immigration laws became increasingly restrictive.