To what extent did race relations improve in the years 1964 to 1970?
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2019
Topic
The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007
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To what extent did race relations improve in the years 1964 to 1970?
To what extent did race relations improve in the years 1964 to 1970?
The period from 1964 to 1970 witnessed a complex and often contradictory shift in race relations within Britain. While legislative measures signaled a growing awareness and condemnation of racial discrimination, deep-seated prejudices and systemic inequalities persisted, fueling social tensions and raising questions about the effectiveness of government policy.
On the surface, the passage of the Race Relations Acts of 1965 and 1968 might suggest significant progress. The 1965 Act, for the first time in UK law, outlawed discrimination based on "colour, race or ethnic or national origins" in public places. This was followed by the 1968 Act, which extended these protections to housing, employment, and other essential services. The establishment of the Race Relations Board and later the Community Relations Commission further demonstrated a commitment to promoting racial equality.
Furthermore, the widespread condemnation of Enoch Powell's inflammatory "Rivers of Blood" speech in 1968, including his subsequent dismissal from the Shadow Cabinet, implied a rejection of overt racism within mainstream politics. The growing popularity of events like the Notting Hill Carnival, which became an annual event in 1964, hinted at a potential for cultural integration and celebration of diversity.
However, a closer examination reveals the limitations of these advancements. The Race Relations Acts, while groundbreaking, were riddled with loopholes. The 1965 Act failed to cover key areas like shops and private boarding houses, while the 1968 Act's "racial balance" clause allowed for continued discrimination by employers. The Race Relations Board, hampered by limited powers and resources, struggled to enforce the legislation effectively.
Powell's incendiary speech, despite its condemnation by political elites, resonated with a significant portion of the population. The outpouring of public support for his views, evidenced by strikes and marches, exposed the deeply ingrained anti-immigration sentiment within British society. This sentiment also permeated government policy. The 1968 Commonwealth Immigrants Act, enacted in response to the arrival of Kenyan Asians, restricted the right of non-white Commonwealth citizens to settle in Britain, revealing a disparity in treatment based on race.
The persistence of racial prejudice was further evidenced by the Conservative victory in the 1964 Smethwick election, marred by the use of racially charged campaign slogans. Gallup polls conducted in 1968 revealed that a staggering 75% of the population agreed with Powell's views, highlighting the widespread acceptance of his rhetoric. Discrimination remained rampant in everyday life, with colour bars prevalent throughout Britain.
Labour's approach to race relations during this period appears conflicted and arguably inadequate. While introducing anti-discrimination legislation, the government also implemented stricter immigration controls, seemingly attempting to appease both sides of a deeply divided public. This balancing act ultimately failed to address the root causes of racial inequality.
In conclusion, while the period from 1964 to 1970 saw the emergence of a nascent movement towards racial equality, significant obstacles remained. Legislative progress, though symbolically important, proved insufficient in dismantling deeply rooted prejudices and systemic discrimination. The reaction to Powell's speech, alongside persistent inequalities in housing, employment, and social mobility, exposed the limitations of legal remedies in the face of entrenched societal biases. While the groundwork for future progress was laid, true racial equality remained a distant aspiration.
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To what extent did race relations improve in the years 1964 to 1970?
This essay will assess the extent to which race relations improved in the years 1964 to 1970. It will argue that, while there were some positive developments, such as the passage of the Race Relations Acts, the persistence of racial prejudice and discrimination meant that overall improvement was limited. The essay will examine both the arguments for and against the proposition that race relations improved during this period.
Arguments for Improved Race Relations
1. The Race Relations Acts: The Race Relations Act of 1965 was the first piece of legislation in the UK to address racial discrimination in public places. This legislation was followed by the Race Relations Act of 1968, which extended the provisions of the 1965 Act and strengthened the Race Relations Board. These acts, taken together, suggest a shift in official policy towards the recognition and tackling of racial discrimination.
2. The Notting Hill Carnival: The Notting Hill Carnival, which became an annual event in 1964, can be seen as a symbol of cultural integration and celebration of diversity. It suggests that, at least in some parts of the country, a more positive environment for race relations was emerging.
3. Evidence of Cultural Acceptance: The increasing availability of ethnic foods and cuisine, as well as the influence of youth culture, which was heavily influenced by music and fashion trends originating from ethnic minorities, can be viewed as signs of broader cultural acceptance and change.
Arguments Against Improved Race Relations
1. Limitations of the Race Relations Acts: Despite the passage of the Race Relations Acts, the legislation was limited in its scope and contained loopholes. The Acts did not extend to Northern Ireland and specifically excluded shops and private boarding houses. The Race Relations Board also lacked effective enforcement powers.
2. Persistence of Anti-Immigration Sentiment: Enoch Powell’s “Rivers of Blood” speech, which was met with widespread support from the public, illustrated the persistence of anti-immigration and racist sentiment. The government’s decision to pass the Commonwealth Immigration Act in 1968, limiting the right of return to Britain for non-white Commonwealth citizens, further suggests that anti-immigration sentiment was influencing policy.
3. Smethwick Election and Gallup Poll Results: The results of the Smethwick election in 1964, where the Conservative candidate won with a racist slogan, and the 1968 Gallup Poll, which found that 75% of the population supported Powell’s views, highlight the prevalence of racist attitudes within British society.
4. Labour’s Conflicted Policy: Labour’s policy on race relations during this period can be viewed as a difficult and conflicted balancing act, with the government taking steps to address racial discrimination on the one hand, while enacting tougher immigration controls on the other.
Conclusion
While the passage of the Race Relations Acts and the emergence of events like the Notting Hill Carnival suggest some improvements in race relations, the persistence of prejudice, discrimination, and anti-immigration sentiment means that these improvements were limited. The government’s policies on race relations, while well-intentioned, often lacked effectiveness and failed to adequately address the deep-seated issues of integration and racial disadvantage. The decade of the 1960s ultimately saw the beginning of a long and ongoing struggle for racial equality in Britain.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments Supporting Improved Race Relations (1964-1970)
Arguments supporting the view that race relations improved in the years 1964 to 1970 might include:
⭐The Race Relations Act, 1965, was the first legislation in the UK to address racial discrimination in public places – ‘on the grounds of colour, race or ethnic or national origins’; a Race Relations Board was also set up to deal with complaints and was also responsible for conducting publicity, research, finance and other aspects of promoting positive race relations.
⭐A second Race Relations Act was passed in 1968, strengthening the 1965 Act by banning discrimination in housing, employment, insurance and other services; the Race Relations Board was also given stronger powers; a Community Relations Commission was created with the brief of promoting good community relations.
⭐Enoch Powell was widely condemned in political circles for his ‘rivers of blood’ speech; Edward Heath sacked him from the shadow cabinet.
⭐The Notting Hill carnival became an annual event from 1964, suggesting that a more positive environment for race relations was emerging, and that communities, at least in the capital, were integrating.
⭐There was also evidence of broader cultural acceptance and change: in the range of foodstuffs and dining out that was becoming available (‘Indian’; ‘Chinese’); youth culture was particularly prominent in popularising new trends in music and fashion in particular – originating from the ethnic minorities.
Arguments Challenging Improved Race Relations (1964-1970)
Arguments challenging the view that race relations improved in the years 1964 to 1970 might include:
⭐The Race Relations Act, 1965, was very limited in its range and full of loopholes: it did not extend to Northern Ireland and specifically excluded shops and private boarding houses; similarly, the Race Relations Board was very weak in terms of enforcement: it could not compel witnesses to attend hearings and more than three-quarters of the complaints it handled in its first year were dismissed through lack of evidence.
⭐The Race Relations Act, 1968, also contained major loopholes: perhaps the most glaring was that employers could still discriminate against non-whites in the interests of ‘racial balance’; the so-called strengthened Race Relations Board remained largely ineffective: complaints against the police were excluded in law and only about 10% of complaints received about discriminatory employment were upheld.
⭐Powell’s ‘rivers of blood’ speech inflamed race relations and illustrated the persistence of anti-immigration/racist sentiment; he received strong support from public opinion, particularly from dockers and meat porters in London who went on strike in support of Powell and marched on Downing Street.
⭐The government was not immune from popular anti-immigration opinion: concern over the sudden arrival in Britain of Kenyan Asians prompted the passing of the Commonwealth Immigration Act, February 1968, limiting the right of return to Britain for non-white Commonwealth citizens.
⭐There was wider evidence that widespread racist views persisted: the Smethwick election in 1964 (the Conservative candidate won with a racist slogan); a 1968 Gallup Poll recorded that 75% of the population supported Powell’s views.
⭐Labour’s policy in the years 1964 to 1970 seemed to represent a difficult, conflicted balancing act, instigating tougher immigration controls on the one hand, while introducing legislation to tackle racial discrimination on the other.
Conclusion
A broad conclusion may be that in this period some of the more public and open manifestations of discrimination began to be challenged, but high levels of discrimination persisted. Immigrant disadvantage and institutional discrimination continued, resulting in increasing protests from black and Asian youths in particular. Colour bars remained prominent throughout Britain in the 1960s. Although grounded in good intentions, Labour policy on race relations seemed largely an imperfect and often ineffective attempt at dealing with integration and the ‘problem’ of non-white immigration.