“Between 1750 and 2010 Britain was always a difficult place for immigrants.” How far do you
agree with this statement? (24)
YES – to 1900
NO- to 1900
YES after 1900
NO after 1900.
Overall…
One group before 1900 who were treated badly were the Irish. The Irish migrated to Great Britain
mainly in the 1840s due to the potato famine. The Irish were not welcomed at all in Britain and were
very unpopular. At a time when Britain was predominantly a Protestant country, the arrival of
Catholic immigrants was not received well at all. The Irish were also accused of taking jobs of existing
British citizens too. The group had also gained the reputation of supposedly being drunk, dirty and
stupid. More notably after several fights had to be broke up in Liverpool, the Irish were accused of
terrorism, however only few were actually Fenians.
However, the Italian group from the 19 th century was in fact treated well when they came to Britain.
From fleeing many wars and suffering from economic problems, the Italians were received well for
bringing over several of their traditional and cultural ideas. The most popular of these was ice cream
in wafers. This was hugely popular in Britain at the time. The Italians had also provided street
entertainment for people to enjoy too. Overall, they were a popular group who were treated well.
One group after 1900 who were treated badly were the Indians and the blacks. Due to World War
One, there was an upsurge of merchant navy jobs which led to a large amount of Lascar sailors being
employed. But due to this, there were several anti-indian and anti-black riots in some port cities such
as Liverpool and Butetown in Cardiff. This was because people believed that they were stealing the
jobs of white sailors. In addition to this harsh treatment, Indians and blacks were also denied GB
citizenship in the Coloured Seamen’s Act of 1925.
Nevertheless, some groups after 1900 were treated well. For example, Indian Asian minorities had
been expelled from Kenya and Uganda. In both 1968 over the Kenyan Asians and in 1971 with the
Ugandan Asians, the British governments had passed laws to let these groups in as they pitied them
and they also saw them as hard working.
Overall, it seems apparent that Britain was in fact a rather difficult place for immigrants, despite the
few exceptions. This is more the case from the earlier time periods such as the 19 th century. Several
groups were initially received well but this was more often than not very short-lived. For example,
this was the case for Italians who were at first very popular, but they were soon facing rumours of
having criminal gangs running the street entertainment, who apparently bullied and exploited the
street pedlar children. But as Britain has evolved, it seems that the responses to immigrants has not
been as extreme as it has been before.
agree with this statement? (24)
YES – to 1900
NO- to 1900
YES after 1900
NO after 1900.
Overall…
One group before 1900 who were treated badly were the Irish. The Irish migrated to Great Britain
mainly in the 1840s due to the potato famine. The Irish were not welcomed at all in Britain and were
very unpopular. At a time when Britain was predominantly a Protestant country, the arrival of
Catholic immigrants was not received well at all. The Irish were also accused of taking jobs of existing
British citizens too. The group had also gained the reputation of supposedly being drunk, dirty and
stupid. More notably after several fights had to be broke up in Liverpool, the Irish were accused of
terrorism, however only few were actually Fenians.
However, the Italian group from the 19 th century was in fact treated well when they came to Britain.
From fleeing many wars and suffering from economic problems, the Italians were received well for
bringing over several of their traditional and cultural ideas. The most popular of these was ice cream
in wafers. This was hugely popular in Britain at the time. The Italians had also provided street
entertainment for people to enjoy too. Overall, they were a popular group who were treated well.
One group after 1900 who were treated badly were the Indians and the blacks. Due to World War
One, there was an upsurge of merchant navy jobs which led to a large amount of Lascar sailors being
employed. But due to this, there were several anti-indian and anti-black riots in some port cities such
as Liverpool and Butetown in Cardiff. This was because people believed that they were stealing the
jobs of white sailors. In addition to this harsh treatment, Indians and blacks were also denied GB
citizenship in the Coloured Seamen’s Act of 1925.
Nevertheless, some groups after 1900 were treated well. For example, Indian Asian minorities had
been expelled from Kenya and Uganda. In both 1968 over the Kenyan Asians and in 1971 with the
Ugandan Asians, the British governments had passed laws to let these groups in as they pitied them
and they also saw them as hard working.
Overall, it seems apparent that Britain was in fact a rather difficult place for immigrants, despite the
few exceptions. This is more the case from the earlier time periods such as the 19 th century. Several
groups were initially received well but this was more often than not very short-lived. For example,
this was the case for Italians who were at first very popular, but they were soon facing rumours of
having criminal gangs running the street entertainment, who apparently bullied and exploited the
street pedlar children. But as Britain has evolved, it seems that the responses to immigrants has not
been as extreme as it has been before.
