Refugees in Britain
During the Second World War the British government was constantly monitoring the success of its various policies concerning the Home Front. The government was also aware of the possibility that it might be necessary to introduce legislation to deal with any emerging problems.
It is December 1941. You have been asked to write a report on Refugees. This is to be divided into two sections.
Refugees in Britain: Main article
(1) A report on refugees in Britain.
Things you should consider include:
(a) How many Germans were living in Britain on the outbreak of the Second World War?
(b) Why were there so many Germans living in Britain in 1939?
(c) Why were Italian restaurants and ice-cream parlours attacked in May 1940?
(d) Why were there so many Italians living in Britain in 1939?
(e) What type of Italians were interned during the Second World War?
(f) Why did people in Britain become more hostile to foreigners during the summer of 1940?
(g) What were conditions like in Britain's internment camps?
(2) A report that includes proposals about the changes that you would like to see in government policy. These proposals will then be discussed and voted on by the rest of the class.
Things you should consider include:
(a) Was the government's internment policy fair and sensible?
(b) Was it morally right to deport German and Italian internees to Canada and Australia?
(c) Would you make any changes to the government's internment policy?