Explain one way in which attitudes in Britain towards migrants in the nineteenth century were similar to attitudes in Britain towards migrants in the period c1900-present. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 1

One significant similarity between the attitudes towards migrants in the nineteenth century and those from c1900 to the present is the prevalence of xenophobia and resistance to integration.

In the nineteenth century, especially during the industrial revolution, there was a strong influx of migrants, particularly from Ireland and later from Eastern Europe. Many native Britons feared that these migrants threatened their employment opportunities and societal values. This sentiment was fueled by economic fluctuations and competition for jobs, leading to a general distrust of the newcomers.

Similarly, in the period from c1900 to the present, attitudes towards more recent migrants—such as those from the Commonwealth and the European Union—have mirrored this xenophobia. Economic downturns or increasing unemployment often reignite fears among the native population regarding job security and cultural dilution. Consequently, measures to control immigration and a reluctance to fully embrace migrant communities are notable in both periods.

Thus, the underlying concern over job competition and the cultural impact of migration show a continuity in British attitudes towards migrants across these two significant historical periods.