Britain since c.1900

Welcome to Britain since c.1900!

In this final part of your Migrants to Britain study, we are looking at how the 20th and 21st centuries shaped the country we live in today. You will learn about how two World Wars, the end of the British Empire, and global conflicts changed who moved to Britain and how they were treated.

Why does this matter? Because migration isn't just about "people moving"; it’s about how Britain defined itself. It’s a story of survival, hard work, struggle, and change. Don't worry if some of the political terms seem tricky at first—we will break them down together!

1. The Big Picture: Why did migration change?

Before we dive into specific groups, we need to understand the Overview. Three main things changed Britain’s relationship with the world after 1900:

• The World Wars: These created huge numbers of refugees fleeing violence, but also caused Britain to fear "enemies" living within its borders.
• The End of Empire: Britain used to rule about a quarter of the world. As these countries (like India, Jamaica, and Nigeria) became independent, the relationship between their people and Britain changed.
• Global Connections: Improvements in travel (planes and faster ships) and communications made it easier for people to move for work or safety.

Quick Review: The Three Main Reasons

1. Conflict: Wars forced people to leave home.
2. Economics: Britain needed workers to rebuild after the wars.
3. Law: Changes in government legislation (laws) controlled who could come and stay.

2. 'Aliens' and Refugees: The World Wars

During the First and Second World Wars, the government became very worried about "Enemy Aliens." An "alien" in history isn't a creature from space—it just means someone living in a country who is not a citizen of that country.

World War I (1914–1918)

When war broke out, there was a lot of anti-German feeling. Shops owned by people with German names were attacked. The government used internment camps to lock up German and Austrian men, even if they had lived in Britain for years and done nothing wrong.
Analogy: Imagine if your favorite local shop was closed down just because the owner's great-grandfather was from a country Britain was arguing with. That's how it felt for many 'aliens' then.

World War II (1939–1945)

This period saw both great kindness and great fear.
• The Kindertransport: This was a rescue mission that brought nearly 10,000 Jewish children to Britain from Nazi-controlled Europe. Did you know? Most of these children never saw their parents again. They were refugees fleeing persecution (being treated cruelly because of their religion).
• Internment again: Just like in WWI, the government locked up thousands of "enemy aliens" (mostly Germans and Italians) on the Isle of Man, fearing they might be spies.

Memory Aid: The "K.I.A." Rule for War Migration
K - Kindertransport (Saving children)
I - Internment (Locking up "enemies")
A - Attacks (Anti-immigrant riots and violence)

3. The Commonwealth: Rebuilding Britain

After 1945, Britain was "broke and broken." It needed people to work in the new NHS, on the buses, and in factories. To help, the government passed the 1948 British Nationality Act. This said that anyone in the British Empire was a British citizen and had the right to live and work in the UK.

The Empire Windrush

In 1948, a ship called the Empire Windrush arrived from Jamaica carrying 492 passengers. This began a period of Commonwealth migration. These migrants were invited to help rebuild "the Mother Country."

The Struggle for Acceptance

Even though they were invited, many migrants faced racism and discrimination.
• The "Colour Bar": Many West Indian and South Asian migrants found it hard to rent houses or get certain jobs. Some signs in windows even said "No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs."
• Racist Movements: Groups like the National Front formed to oppose migration.
• Anti-Racist Movements: Migrants fought back! The Bristol Bus Boycott (1963) was a famous protest against a company that refused to hire Black or Asian drivers. It was a huge success and helped lead to the Race Relations Acts.

Common Mistake to Avoid:

Don't assume the government always wanted more migrants. While they passed the 1948 Act to get workers, they soon became worried about the number of people arriving. Between 1962 and 1971, they passed several laws (Immigration Acts) to make it much harder for Commonwealth citizens to move to Britain unless they already had a job or family there.

Key Takeaway: Post-war migration was a "push-pull" story. Britain pulled workers in because it needed them, but then the government tried to push back with stricter laws when public opinion turned against migration.

4. Modern Migration: 1980s to the Present

In the last 40 years, the reasons people move to Britain have become more complex. Historians divide these into three main groups:

1. Economic Migrants: People moving for better jobs or to fill gaps in the British workforce (like doctors or fruit pickers). Since the 1990s, many came from Eastern Europe (like Poland) after those countries joined the European Union (EU).
2. Refugees: People fleeing war or disaster. Examples include people fleeing the Vietnam War in the 1970s, the civil wars in the Balkans in the 1990s, or more recently, the conflict in Syria.
3. Asylum Seekers: People who have left their home country and are applying for the right to be recognized as a refugee and stay in Britain safely.

Contemporary Issues

Migration remains a big topic in politics. You should know about:
• Legislative changes: The government has introduced "points-based systems" to control who can enter.
• The "Hostile Environment": A set of policies designed to make it very difficult for people without the correct paperwork to live in the UK. This led to the Windrush Scandal, where people who had lived in Britain legally for decades were wrongly told they were here illegally.

Final Summary Checklist

• 1900–1945: Focus on 'Aliens', internment camps, and refugees like those on the Kindertransport.
• 1948: The British Nationality Act and the arrival of the Windrush.
• 1960s/70s: Stricter Immigration Acts and the rise of both racist and anti-racist movements (e.g., Bristol Bus Boycott).
• 1980s–Present: Migration from the EU, and a focus on refugees and asylum seekers from global conflict zones.

History Tip: When answering exam questions, always try to mention a specific factor. Was it Government (laws), Economic forces (jobs), or Beliefs and Attitudes (racism or welcome)? Using these words will get you higher marks!