Post-war immigration
Study note
Rebuilding Britain after the Second World War, and running its growing services, required a great deal of labour, more than the country could provide on its own. To fill the gap, the government actively encouraged people to come from abroad to live and work in Britain.
Workers were first encouraged to come from Ireland and other parts of Europe. Then, in 1948, people from the West Indies were invited to come and work, so 1948 is an important date for post-war migration. During the 1950s further workers were recruited, including bus drivers from the West Indies and workers from India and Pakistan, and later from Bangladesh. So remember that after 1945 workers came from Ireland, the West Indies, India, Pakistan and later Bangladesh.
Memory tip: After 1945, workers invited from Ireland, the West Indies, India, Pakistan and later Bangladesh.
Practise this topic
Question 1 of 2
In which year were people from the West Indies invited to come and work in Britain?
Show all questions and answers for Post-war immigration(2 questions with explanations)
Post-war immigration: questions, answers and explanations
1. In which year were people from the West Indies invited to come and work in Britain?
- 1973
- 1962
- 1948
- 1939
Correct answer: 1948
In 1948, people from the West Indies were invited to come and work in Britain.
2. During the 1950s, British industries recruited workers from overseas, including from India and Pakistan.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
True. Labour shortages led to recruitment of workers from India, Pakistan and elsewhere.
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