Exploring the Empire Windrush and the experiences of its passengers | English

Starter quiz

Put these events from British history in order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  the Roman occupation of Britain
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  the Victorian era
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  World War I
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  World War II
Against which of these countries was World War II fought?
- USA
- Germany ✓
- Ireland
- Canada
Who was the British Prime Minister during most of World War II?
- Josef Stalin
- Adolf Hitler
- Winston Churchill ✓
- Franklin Roosevelt
What name was given to the large area of the world once ruled over by Great Britain?
- the British Isles
- the United Kingdom
- the British Empire ✓
- the Queen's Lands
Which ocean separates Europe from North and South America?
- Pacific
- Atlantic ✓
- Indian
- Southern
Who is a diary usually written for?
- the person who wrote it ✓
- their family and friends
- the general public

Approximately what proportion of the Earth's people were ruled by the British Empire at its height?
- half
- three-quarters
- one quarter ✓
- one eighth
Which is the best definition of a 'colony'?
- a country that controls another country
- a country under the control of another country ✓
- a country that is being attacked by another country
- an island country
What problems did the UK face after the Second World War ended?
- extensive damage to cities ✓
- huge numbers of people emigrated ✓
- the fighting was still ongoing in some places
- hundreds of thousands of people had died in the war ✓
Which of the reasons below caused people to emigrate from the Caribbean to the UK on the Empire Windrush?
- they found the Caribbean too warm
- they hoped for better jobs and better pay ✓
- they wanted to see the 'mother country' ✓
- there was very high unemployment in the Caribbean ✓
Where did many of the Windrush immigrants have to stay initially?
- in British people's homes
- in an abandoned factory
- in an underground air-raid shelter ✓
- in the countryside
What problems did the Windrush immigrants face in Britain?
- racist attacks ✓
- discrimination in jobs and housing ✓
- being refused service or entry to different facilities ✓
- being unable to work in public services like the NHS

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Britain had a vast empire in the early 20th Century, but it was very badly affected by WWII and had labour shortages.
In 1948, a new law clarified that all citizens of the Commonwealth had the right to settle and work in the UK.
There was high unemployment in the Caribbean; many people hoped for better wages and living conditions in the UK.
West Indian immigrants therefore arrived in Britain on ships including the Empire Windrush at this time.
On arrival, they faced discrimination in jobs, services and housing.

Pupils may believe that immigration is only **to** the UK and not into other countries **from** the UK.

Part of the reason for the post-war labour shortage was that Britons emigrated in vast numbers to other Commonwealth countries.

Colony - a country or area under the control of another country
Emigrate - when you leave your own country to settle in another
Immigrant - someone who has come to a country different to their country of origin to live permanently
Discrimination - treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly because of a certain characteristic
Racism - harmful and unfair behaviours and attitudes that people can show if they hold the belief that their own race is superior to another