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Britain: British Society 1951-1979 - Immigration And Its Impact
The Notting Hill Carnival is usually a happy occasion, but it degenerated into riots in 1976.

Britain: British Society 1951-1979 - Immigration And Its Impact

This GCSE History quiz explores immigration to Britain between 1951 and 1979, and asks how new arrivals shaped workplaces, communities and debates about race and identity.

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Fascinating Fact:

In 1968 the slogan “Rivers of Blood” became linked with Enoch Powell’s speech. It showed how strongly some people opposed further immigration.

In GCSE History, the topic of immigration and its impact between 1951 and 1979 examines why people came to Britain and how society responded. You study migration from the Commonwealth, changing immigration laws and the development of multi ethnic communities in towns and cities. The theme also looks at prejudice, support for restriction and efforts to improve race relations, helping you evaluate how far Britain became a more tolerant and diverse society in this period.

Key Terms

  • Immigration: The process of people moving into a country to live and work there, either permanently or for a long period of time.
  • Commonwealth Immigrants: People who moved to Britain from countries that were part of the British Empire or Commonwealth, such as Jamaica, India or Pakistan.
  • Race Relations Act: A law passed by Parliament that aimed to reduce discrimination, for example by making it illegal to treat someone unfairly because of their colour or ethnic background.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What were the main reasons people immigrated to Britain after 1951?

Many people came to Britain after 1951 for work, to help fill labour shortages and to join family members already here. Others were encouraged by links through the Empire and Commonwealth and the hope of better living conditions.

How did immigration change British society between 1951 and 1979?

Immigration brought new languages, religions, foods and music into British life. It helped rebuild key industries and public services, but also led to tensions, debates about identity and campaigns both for and against further immigration.

What role did government laws play in immigration during this period?

Governments introduced immigration control acts to limit entry from the Commonwealth and race relations laws to challenge discrimination. Together, these measures tried to manage who could come to Britain and how fairly newcomers were treated.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
In the 1964 general election a Conservative candidate defeated a senior Labour figure in a West Midlands seat by playing the race card. What was the constituency concerned?
Smethwick
Wolverhampton North East
Birmingham Perry Bar
Halesowen
Peter Griffiths won the seat in 1964, but it reverted to Labour at the next election
2 .
In 1962 the Conservative Government passed a piece of legislation that required future immigrants to have skills and to be already contracted to an employer. What was this Act called?
The Commonwealth Immigration Act
The Commonwealth Employment Act
The Commonwealth Relations Act
The Imperial Immigration Act
Dependants were still allowed in
3 .
In 1948 the Labour government passed a measure that allowed anyone from a Commonwealth country to settle in any other Commonwealth country. What was the name of the Act?
The British Nationality Act
The Commonwealth Nationality Act
The Commonwealth Settlement Act
The British Citizenship Act
This law was an encouragement to Commonwealth citizens to re-locate, especially to the Mother Country
4 .
Race riots disfigured an area of West London in 1958. Which area was this?
Marylebone
Hammersmith
Fulham
Notting Hill
There were similar events in Nottingham too. The courts dealt firmly with the white youths who stirred them up
5 .
In 1948 a liner docked in Britain carrying a large group of young West Indian men seeking work. What was the ship's name?
"Opal Star"
"Windrush"
"Pride of Otago"
"Pannonia"
There were other such ships, but this was far and away the most famous one
6 .
In April 1968 a senior Conservative made a speech in Birmingham in which he foretold "the Tiber foaming with much blood", if immigration continued. Who was this?
Reginald Maudling
Enoch Powell
Robert Carr
Peter Thorneycroft
The speaker was sacked from the Shadow Cabinet for making what the "Times" called "an evil speech"
7 .
London's West Indian community celebrates an annual carnival, which degenerated into riots in 1976. In which district is the carnival traditionally held?
Kensington
Notting Hill
Ladbroke Grove
Shepherd's Bush
At this time relations between the carnival organisers and the police were poor, and the event became a byword for crime
8 .
In 1972 all the Asian residents of an African country and former British colony were expelled by its dictator. Which state was this?
Kenya
Tanzania
Malawi
Uganda
Britain agreed to take the entire community
9 .
Far right parties sprang up in the 1960's, urging the repatriation of immigrants. Which one of the following groups was founded in 1967?
The Union Movement
The English Defence League
The British National Party
The National Front
None of these groups made a big political impact, although they made their presence felt
10 .
In 1965 Harold Wilson's government passed an Act that forbade incitement to racial hatred. What was the name of the Act?
The Racial Relations Act
The Race Relations Act
The Racial Discrimination Act
The Race Discrimination Act
When the courts began to hear the first cases under the Act they sometimes found it hard to secure convictions
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Rebuilding the country after 1945

Author:  Edward Towne
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