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Immigration Timeline

UK Immigration Timeline

Humans have populated every corner of the globe. This is a result of migration. Some of it happened gradually in small groups, in other instances people moved on a large scale under dramatic circumstances. One thing is sure, immigration has always been a feature in Britain's history. Below, we pin-point a few of the most influential mass migrations into Britain.

Timeline

pre 1066
A succession of invading forces brought new people and their cultures to what is modern-day Britain. These included the Romans, Jutes, Angles, Saxons and Vikings

1066
The Normans invade Britain and become the dominant force. Their legacy laid the foundations of the Britain we live in today

1560
Dutch Protestants fleeing religious persecution make their way to Britain

1685
Religious persecution forces 100,000 Huguenots (French Protestants) to leave France for Britain

1840s
Widespread famine forces thousands of people to leave Ireland. Many come to Britain

1848
With a spate of revolutions breaking out in mainland Europe, Britain becomes the destination of choice for many refugees

1880s
Fleeing oppression in Europe, hundreds of thousands of Jews seek sanctuary in Britain

1914 - 1918
The First World War creates huge numbers of refugees, many of whom choose to escape mainland Europe and come to Britain

1939 - 1945
Again with the outbreak of the Second World War, refugees seek to escape Nazi rule and the fighting by travelling to the UK

1946
Hundreds of thousands of people from across Eastern Europe seek refuge in the UK following the establishment of Communism

1948
Many West Indians decide to settle in Britain, which needs to boost its depleted workforce after WW2

1972
28,000 Ugandan Asians settle in the UK after being expelled from Ugand

1975
Political unrest and war in South-East Asia results in many seeking a new life in Britain

1980s
Attracted by opportunities for those with specialist skills and professional training, large numbers of Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans move to the UK

1992 - 1998
Ethnic disputes in the Balkans force thousands to seek refuge in Western Europe. Many seek asylum in the UK

1998 - 2002
During these years 45,000 people arrive from Africa, 22,700 from the Indian sub-continent and 25,000 from Asia

Fuel for thought?

From looking at the timeline, can you identify the circumstances that can create refugees?

Why do you think there has been so much people-movement in the last 100 years?

Now Take It To The Forum...