Is this Britain’s worst scandal? The UK invited thousands of people to move to Britain from the Caribbean. But then it forced many of them to go back.
The boat journey that changed Britain forever
Is this Britain's worst scandal? The UK invited thousands of people to move to Britain from the Caribbean. But then it forced many of them to go back.
What's happening?
Almost 75 years ago, a large ship called the Empire Windrush arrived in Britain. On board were 693 people who had come from the CaribbeanThe region made up of the Caribbean Sea and its islands, including the West Indies. to live in the UK.
During World War TwoA global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers. , Britain was damaged by bombs. After the war, the UK's leaders asked people in the Caribbean to come and help rebuild. About 600,000 people came.
At the time, many Caribbean countries were part of the British EmpireA group of countries that were once ruled or controlled by the UK, including Australia, Canada, India and large parts of Africa..
The Windrush generation faced many challenges in Britain - but many chose to stay. Britain became a place that included people and ideas from many different culturesThe ideas, beliefs and traditions of a particular society or group of people..
But when the Conservative PartyA British political party. Members are known as Tories. came to power in 2010 they changed the rules for people who had moved to the UK.
Find out more
British leaders allowed the Windrush generation to stay, but it did not give them any papers to prove they still had the right to live there.
Without these papers, many in the Windrush generation could not access the things they needed, and some were even forced to leave Britain.
Yes! Britain asked thousands of people to come to Britain - and then it put many of them into a terrible situation.
No! This was a very harmful moment in British history - but much of it was caused due to confusing or badly thought through laws and rules, rather than being on purpose.
Is this Britain's worst scandalA shocking or morally wrong event that causes public anger.?
Keywords
Caribbean - The region made up of the Caribbean Sea and its islands, including the West Indies.
World War Two - A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers.
British Empire - A group of countries that were once ruled or controlled by the UK, including Australia, Canada, India and large parts of Africa.
Cultures - The ideas, beliefs and traditions of a particular society or group of people.
Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.
Scandal - A shocking or morally wrong event that causes public anger.
The boat journey that changed Britain forever
Glossary
Caribbean - The region made up of the Caribbean Sea and its islands, including the West Indies.
World War Two - A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and included all of the great powers.
British Empire - A group of countries that were once ruled or controlled by the UK, including Australia, Canada, India and large parts of Africa.
Cultures - The ideas, beliefs and traditions of a particular society or group of people.
Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.
Scandal - A shocking or morally wrong event that causes public anger.