The Windrush

Question 1

What was the Windrush?

Answer 1

The Windrush was a ship which came from the Caribbean islands.

Question 2

Why did the Windrush come to Britain?

Answer 2

The Windrush came to Britain because they offered people from the Caribbean jobs (as some served in the war). Britain also needed help to rebuild their country after the Second World War.

Question 3

What was the Windrush generation?

Answer 3

The Windrush generation were the first black immigrants to arrive in Britain.

Question 4

Why did people of the Caribbean decide to come to Britain?

Answer 4

• There was no tourist industry.
• The price of sugar (the Caribbean’s most important export), was at an all-time low.
• Jamaica was devastated by a hurricane in 1944.
• The Caribbean countries were struggling with money.
• It was tough for people to find jobs.

Question 5

Why did people from the Caribbean feel like they had the right to live in Britain in the 1940’s and 50’s?

Answer 5

• Many were brought up speaking English, been named after British heroes and educated to love Britain.
• Britain were short of workers so there were more jobs to offer.
• There was a lot more to offer in Britain than the Caribbean in general.
• People of the Commonwealth were given British passports and were allowed to work and live in Britain.

Question 6

What was so special about the Windrush?

Answer 6

• A ship that transported immigrants into Britain after the war.
• Came from Jamaica, bringing many Jamaicans and others from around the Caribbean.
• It allowed many people to try to find better work in their mother country (although it wasn’t really what they thought Britain was once they got there and met the British).

Question 7

What did Parliament do to encourage many people to come to Britain?

Answer 7

Parliament passed the British Nationality Act in 1948. This meant that everyone of the Empire was easily given British passports and they could live and work in Britain.

Question 8

Why was the Windrush so significant?

Answer 8

It was so significant because immigrants could work in their mother country.