Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present

    OCR
    GCSE

    This thematic study examines the movement of peoples into Britain from c.1250 to the present day. Candidates must evaluate the complex interplay of 'push' and 'pull' factors—ranging from religious persecution and warfare to economic opportunity and imperial connection. The study requires an analysis of the fluctuating reception of migrants, contrasting the official government legislation (from Royal Prerogative to Acts of Parliament) with societal attitudes. Crucially, candidates must assess the extent to which the migrant experience has been defined by assimilation, integration, or alienation, and determine the significance of migrant contributions to British economic and cultural life.

    11
    Objectives
    8
    Exam Tips
    7
    Pitfalls
    6
    Key Terms
    8
    Mark Points

    Subtopics in this area

    Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present
    Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1190 York Massacre (Anti-Semitic violence)
    • 1685 Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (Huguenot migration)
    • 1845-1852 Irish Potato Famine (Push factor)
    • 1905 Aliens Act (First major immigration control legislation)
    • 1948 British Nationality Act (Citizenship status for Commonwealth)
    • 1968 Rivers of Blood speech (Enoch Powell)
    • 1290 Expulsion of the Jews under Edward I
    • 1685 Edict of Nantes revocation leading to Huguenot migration
    • 1905 Aliens Act restricting Jewish immigration
    • 1948 Arrival of the Empire Windrush
    • 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the source's origin; now explain how this specific author's purpose affects the weight of the evidence"
    • "Avoid generalisations like 'people were racist'; specify which groups (e.g., Oswald Mosley's BUF) and why"
    • "Your comparison is valid but needs more specific evidence from the earlier period to balance the argument"
    • "To reach the top level, explicitly link the factor you are discussing to the wider concept of 'significance' or 'change'"
    • "You have described the event accurately; now explain *why* it was significant in the context of migration history."
    • "Your summary identifies relevant points, but lacks specific dates or names to secure the top level."
    • "The argument is balanced, but the conclusion needs to explicitly weigh which factor was the most important and justify why."
    • "Ensure you distinguish between official government policy and the social experience of migrants on the ground."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for evaluating source utility based on provenance (nature, origin, purpose) applied to the specific enquiry
    • Credit explanations that explicitly identify criteria for comparison (e.g., 'official government policy' or 'public attitude') before contrasting periods
    • Responses must demonstrate precise knowledge of key legislation (e.g., 1905 Aliens Act, 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act)
    • Higher level marks require analysis of the 'significance' of events, distinguishing between immediate impact and long-term legacy
    • Award marks for the identification of specific second-order concepts: causation (push/pull factors), change/continuity, and significance.
    • Credit responses that substantiate general points with precise evidence (e.g., 'The Aliens Act 1905' rather than 'laws against immigrants').
    • Extended writing must demonstrate a coherent line of reasoning, sustaining a judgment throughout the response rather than just at the end.
    • Analysis must link specific events to broader thematic trends, such as the shift from religious to economic migration.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 'How useful' questions, you must combine analysis of the source content with your own contextual knowledge to judge its value
    • 💡In comparison questions, structure your answer around themes (e.g., economic contribution, social tension) rather than describing each period separately
    • 💡Allocate approximately 1.5 minutes per mark; ensure you leave at least 25 minutes for the final 18-mark essay question
    • 💡Use specific terminology like 'pogroms', 'lascars', or 'assimilation' to demonstrate AO1 precision
    • 💡For the 9-mark Summary question, identify three distinct aspects (e.g., three different reasons or impacts) and support each with specific examples; do not write an introduction or conclusion.
    • 💡In the 10-mark 'Why' question, focus immediately on two distinct reasons. Use the 'Point, Evidence, Explanation' structure to ensure depth.
    • 💡For the 18-mark essay, ensure you address the stated factor in the question first, then compare it against at least two other factors or time periods to build a balanced argument.
    • 💡Allocate time strictly: 10 minutes for the Summary, 15 minutes for the Explanation, and 35 minutes for the Essay.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Dismissing sources as 'useless' solely due to bias without analyzing what the bias reveals about attitudes
    • Conflating distinct waves of migration, such as confusing the 19th-century Irish influx with post-1948 Caribbean migration
    • Describing events narratively in 'Explain' questions rather than analyzing causation or consequence
    • Failing to provide specific historical context to support claims about 'hostility' or 'acceptance'
    • Conflating distinct migrant groups (e.g., confusing the experiences of Huguenots with Palatines).
    • Presenting a narrative of events (storytelling) instead of an analytical explanation of reasons or impacts.
    • Failing to cover the full chronological range in 'How far do you agree' questions, often neglecting the medieval or early modern periods.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    How useful
    Explain
    How similar
    How different
    How far do you agree
    Describe
    Write a summary
    Why
    Compare

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