1960s Britain: Social attitudes towards immigration
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Homework type: History essay
Added: 4.02.2026 at 8:13
Summary:
Explore 1960s Britain’s social attitudes towards immigration and understand the economic, cultural, and political impacts shaping modern multicultural society.
Britain’s Social Views about Immigration in the 1960s
The 1960s marked a period of profound transformation for Britain. Emerging from the shadows of post-war reconstruction, the nation was undergoing sweeping changes – rebuilding bombed-out cities, facing new economic realities, and redefining its global role as the British Empire receded. One of the most significant and contentious developments in this era was the arrival of large numbers of immigrants from former colonies and Commonwealth countries. These new arrivals triggered an intense public debate about nationhood, race, and belonging. Examining the range of social attitudes towards immigrants during the 1960s reveals not only the anxieties and prejudices of the time but also moments of solidarity, adaptation, and cultural cross-pollination. Considering Britain’s social views on immigration in the 1960s provides key insight into the origins of today’s multicultural society, as well as the lingering complexities of identity, integration, and tolerance in British life.
Patterns and Policies of Immigration
In order to appreciate the character of public perception, it is necessary first to understand the context of immigration itself. After the devastation of the Second World War, Britain faced acute labour shortages, especially in sectors such as public transport, healthcare, and manufacturing. The British Nationality Act of 1948 granted Commonwealth citizens the legal right to settle in the United Kingdom. This encouraged many from the Caribbean, subsequently termed the ‘Windrush generation’ after the ship MV Empire Windrush’s arrival in 1948, to travel to Britain. Later, growing numbers also came from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), and various African Commonwealth nations.That said, migration was not simply a wave of hopeful jobseekers. Many arrivals were driven by the push factors of economic hardship, political instability, or upheaval in the wake of decolonisation. The presence of established community networks further encouraged such migration, as kinship offered support for newcomers navigating the unfamiliar territory of British society. Initially, government policy was relatively open, but as numbers rose through the 1950s and into the 1960s, apprehension spread among the host population. Political pressure to control or limit immigration resulted in legislation, specifically the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts of 1962 and 1968, which introduced restrictions and created a new legal distinction between citizens of the UK and those of its former colonies.
Social Attitudes and Public Opinion
Economic Concerns
Alongside policy shifts, the everyday attitudes of Britons were shaped by a complex blend of economic, social, and cultural anxieties. For many working-class communities, especially in industrial and urban areas like London’s Notting Hill, Birmingham, and Manchester, the visible arrival of newcomers sparked fears of competition for scarce jobs and affordable housing. Newspapers frequently reported on local disputes over council house allocations, and letters pages captured complaints that ‘foreigners’ were given preferential treatment – though official statistics did not actually support these claims. The perception of ‘job stealing’ prevailed in some quarters, fuelled by anxieties about economic stagnation and the stresses of post-war austerity. In reality, much of the work undertaken by immigrants was poorly paid and shunned by other Britons. Nonetheless, the myth of the outsider as a drain on resources proved persistent and powerful.Cultural and Racial Prejudice
At the heart of many social attitudes lay deeper cultural and racial unease. Despite Britain’s imperial history, few white Britons in the 1960s had much personal contact with people of colour. Stereotypes proliferated, stoked by sensationalist press coverage or even satirical comedy. Newspapers and television programmes often portrayed immigrants as socially alien, incapable of assimilation, or, at best, quaintly ‘exotic’. Local resistance sometimes escalated into violence, as seen in the Notting Hill riots of 1958 – a grim prelude to the tensions of the next decade. Everyday racism found expression in the infamous ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’ signs in letting agents’ windows and routine discrimination in workplaces and schools. For many, the arrival of non-white migrants challenged inherited notions of Britishness rooted in whiteness, Protestantism, and monarchy.Community Reactions and Resistance
While hostile responses dominated headlines, they did not go unchallenged. Grassroots anti-immigration groups like the Birmingham Immigration Control Association emerged, producing pamphlets and lobbying MPs. Their activism articulated the fears of many working-class white Britons who felt economically and politically neglected – a sentiment often manipulated or amplified by opportunistic politicians. Yet, the 1960s also witnessed the birth of multicultural and anti-racist initiatives. Organisations such as the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination, supported by figures from across the political spectrum, sought to counteract prejudice and lobby for rights. The paradox of protest and advocacy reflected the social fragmentation and heated debate of the decade.Political Responses and Public Discourse
Political Parties and Immigration Debates
Political parties navigated a delicate landscape shaped by electoral concerns and ideological commitments. The Conservative Party, leading the government for much of the era, increasingly adopted a rhetoric of law and order, promising to preserve social stability. Their introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts was justified as a necessary response to popular unease. Labour, on the other hand, found itself torn. While its official doctrine emphasised internationalism and equality, the party’s traditional working-class base often held sceptical or outright hostile attitudes toward immigration, fearing increased competition and cultural change.Key Political Moments
Few political interventions have captured public mood more vividly than Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech in 1968. Delivered in Birmingham, Powell warned of dire consequences if immigration continued unchecked, conjuring images of social disintegration. His speech drew thousands of supportive letters and protests from dockworkers, but was publicly denounced by party leaders and much of the press. Powell became both a symbol of hardline anti-immigration sentiment and a focal point for debate over free speech and racism. The event revealed just how polarised popular opinion had become.Legislation as Reflection and Catalyst
The passage of the 1962 and 1968 Immigration Acts not only responded to popular anxieties but also reinforced the sense of immigrants as outsiders. By creating legal hurdles and subjecting arrivals to quotas and work voucher schemes, the Acts fostered an atmosphere in which non-white Britons felt unwelcome and perpetually scrutinised. Conversely, the Race Relations Acts of 1965 and 1968 signalled attempts – however limited – to address discrimination in public services. The swinging pendulum between exclusion and integration would shape Britain’s evolving sense of itself.The Immigrant Perspective
Challenges Faced by Communities
From the immigrant perspective, the 1960s was a decade of hardship and hope in equal measure. Many arrivals encountered outright bigotry, from racist violence in the streets to systematic discrimination in job interviews and rentals. Some, especially children in newly multicultural schools, reported bullying and isolation. Despite having fought for Britain in the war or answering the call for workers, they found themselves treated as perpetual outsiders, their Britishness questioned at every turn.Community Formation and Cultural Contribution
Yet, those communities demonstrated remarkable resilience. Ethnic enclaves in Southall, Handsworth, and Brixton became vibrant centres of cultural life. Churches, mosques, and temples served not only spiritual needs but also as social support networks, offering advice on jobs, visas, and schooling. Over time, immigrant entrepreneurs opened restaurants, shops, and small businesses that eventually enriched the local economy. British culture itself began to reflect these influences; the sound of reggae on the airwaves, the growing popularity of Indian cuisine, and new artistic styles all hinted at broader social change.Resistance and Activism
Faced with hostility, immigrant communities responded with solidarity and activism. The formation of associations and the success of legal cases began to chip away at institutional discrimination. Alliances with sympathetic Britons, often linked to the Labour movement or faith groups, helped build coalitions that pressed for reform. The stories of individuals such as Paul Stephenson, who led the successful Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963, illustrated the capacity to challenge injustice and assert a claim to full citizenship.Broader Social and Cultural Implications
Transforming British Identity
The 1960s’ great debates about immigration ultimately forced a reckoning with questions of national identity. Were the British to see themselves as an island fortress, or as a plural, open society shaped by its imperial past? Nostalgic images of a homogenous ‘Green and Pleasant Land’ clashed with the lived reality of city streets bustling with multicultural life. Literary works from this period, such as Sam Selvon’s *The Lonely Londoners*, offered vivid portraits of both alienation and community, hinting at the complexities now woven into the fabric of the nation.Media and Popular Culture
The media played a powerful – and often ambivalent – role in shaping these debates. While some reporting stoked hostility, there were also efforts to promote understanding; BBC television dramas in the late 1960s, for example, began to feature Black and Asian characters in more nuanced roles. The arts provided a battleground for representation: migration featured in the poetry of Linton Kwesi Johnson, as well as in plays like Mustapha Matura’s *Play Mas*, reflecting both challenges and achievements.Continuing Legacy
The divisive arguments of the 1960s left a lasting mark. In some respects, the prejudices and tensions of the era have proven stubbornly persistent, from debates about “integration” to controversies over immigration controls. Yet, the decade’s struggles also laid the groundwork for much of what we now take for granted: multicultural neighbourhoods, anti-discrimination laws, and the celebration of diversity in public life.Conclusion
Britain in the 1960s found itself at a crossroads, wrestling with change and continuity. Public opinion about immigration was driven by fear, economic uncertainty, and deep-seated cultural assumptions, but also by moments of empathy, courage, and creativity. Politicians responded both reflectively and opportunistically, channeling anxieties into legislation that defined the character of the nation for a generation. For immigrants themselves, life involved continual negotiation: confronting prejudice, forging new identities, and making enduring contributions. The dialogues and conflicts of the 1960s reveal both the pain of transition and the possibility of transformation. To study this period is to recognise the foundations of modern Britain – a work in progress, shaped by the legacy of both division and hope.Frequently Asked Questions about AI Learning
Answers curated by our team of academic experts
What were social attitudes towards immigration in 1960s Britain?
Social attitudes towards immigration in 1960s Britain were mixed, involving both suspicion and cultural adaptation. Anxiety, prejudice, and fears of job competition were common, alongside some solidarity and acceptance.
How did 1960s Britain respond to Commonwealth immigration?
1960s Britain responded to Commonwealth immigration with growing political restrictions and public debate. Policies such as the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts introduced limits amid social anxieties about integration.
Why did people immigrate to Britain in the 1960s?
People immigrated to Britain in the 1960s due to economic hardship, political instability, and labour shortages in post-war Britain. Community networks and legal rights for Commonwealth citizens also encouraged migration.
What impact did the 1960s immigration have on British society?
1960s immigration shaped modern multicultural Britain and sparked debates on identity, integration, and tolerance. It led to both social tensions and cultural enrichment, influencing current attitudes towards diversity.
How did economic concerns affect social attitudes towards 1960s immigration?
Economic concerns such as fear of job and housing competition contributed to negative social attitudes. Many Britons perceived immigrants as rivals for scarce resources, although data did not support these claims.
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