OCR · GCSE · History
Course version: J410 · Version from Mar 2026
Government legislation in the first half of the twentieth century: the…
Full specification wording
Migration to Britain c.1000 to c.2010 (J410/08) - 1900–c.2010: Government legislation in the first half of the twentieth century: the reasons for, and impact of, the Aliens Act 1905, the Status of Aliens Act 1914 and the British Nationality Act 1948. The arrival of Jewish refugees in the 1930s; different attitudes towards Jews in Britain in the 1930s; the experiences of migrants and their descendants during the two world wars; the experience of Poles who settled in Britain after the Second World War.
This topic links three laws to their causes and effects.
Checked against the OCR J410 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic links three laws to their causes and effects. The Aliens Act 1905 followed pressure over pauper immigration and antisemitic agitation, and it gave officials power to exclude some arrivals. The Status of Aliens Act 1914 defined alien status and tightened controls as war began. The British Nationality Act 1948 created citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, shaping who could enter later. Learners also study Jewish refugees arriving in the 1930s, the mixed attitudes they met, the wartime experiences of migrants and their descendants in both world wars, and the lives of Poles who settled after 1945. Answers should pair each law with a reason and an impact, and give a concrete migrant example.
What earns the marks
- Explains a reason for the Aliens Act 1905, such as public and political pressure over immigration.
- States an impact of the Aliens Act 1905, such as powers to exclude or deport certain arrivals.
- Links the Status of Aliens Act 1914 to wartime control of alien status.
- Explains that the British Nationality Act 1948 created citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
- Describes the arrival of Jewish refugees in the 1930s and the range of attitudes towards them in Britain.
- Gives an example of migrants' or descendants' wartime experience in the First or Second World War.
- Describes the settlement of Poles in Britain after the Second World War.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confuses the three Acts.
Put it right: Match each law to its own date, reason and impact.
Treats British attitudes to Jews in the 1930s as uniform.
Put it right: Show both sympathy and hostility.
Omits the Polish settlement after 1945.
Put it right: Include it as a distinct post-war experience.
Exam tips
- Pair every law with one reason and one impact to gain credit.
- Use a named group or event, such as Jewish refugees or Polish settlers, to support a point.
- Keep dates accurate and stay within the first half of the twentieth century for the legislation.
Try the lesson
The start of the Migration to Britain c.1000 to c.2010 (J410/08) - 1900–c.2010: Government legislation in the first half of the twentieth century: the reasons for, and impact of, the Aliens Act 1905, the Status of Aliens Act 1914 and the British Nationality Act 1948. The arrival of Jewish refugees in the 1930s; different attitudes towards Jews in Britain in the 1930s; the experiences of migrants and their descendants during the two world wars; the experience of Poles who settled in Britain after the Second World War. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which group was the main target of the restrictions introduced by the Aliens Act 1905?
Listen
This topic links three laws to their causes and effects. The Aliens Act 1905 followed pressure over pauper immigration and antisemitic agitation, and it gave officials power to exclude some arrivals. The Status of Aliens Act 1914 defined alien status and tightened controls as war began. The British Nationality Act 1948 created citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, shaping who could enter later. Learners also study Jewish refugees arriving in the 1930s, the mixed attitudes they met, the wartime experiences of migrants and their descendants in both world wars, and the lives of Poles who settled after 1945. Answers should pair each law with a reason and an impact, and give a concrete migrant example. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains a reason for the Aliens Act 1905, such as public and political pressure over immigration. States an impact of the Aliens Act 1905, such as powers to exclude or deport certain arrivals. Links the Status of Aliens Act 1914 to wartime control of alien status. Explains that the British Nationality Act 1948 created citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies. Exam tip: Pair every law with one reason and one impact to gain credit.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Aliens Act passed after pressure over pauper immigration
- 2. British Nationality Act created citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies
- 3. Status of Aliens Act tightened controls as war began
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Aliens Act 1905
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Status of Aliens Act 1914
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
British Nationality Act 1948
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Jewish refugees
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Aliens Act 1905
- Followed pressure over pauper immigration and antisemitic agitation, and gave officials power to exclude some arrivals.
- Status of Aliens Act 1914
- Defined alien status and tightened controls as war began.
- British Nationality Act 1948
- Created citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies, shaping who could enter later.
- Jewish refugees
- Arrived in the 1930s and met mixed attitudes in Britain, showing both sympathy and hostility.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Migration to Britain c.1000 to c.2010 (J410/08) - 1900–c.2010: Government legislation in the first half of the twentieth century: the reasons for, and impact of, the Aliens Act 1905, the Status of Aliens Act 1914 and the British Nationality Act 1948. The arrival of Jewish refugees in the 1930s; different attitudes towards Jews in Britain in the 1930s; the experiences of migrants and their descendants during the two world wars; the experience of Poles who settled in Britain after the Second World War.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge