The readmission of Jews in 1656 and their experiences; religious refugees…

The idea

This topic covers two related movements of people into Britain. First, the readmission of Jews in 1656, when Jews were permitted to return and settle openly after their medieval expulsion; learn about their experiences, including worship in synagogues, work in trade and finance, and the mixture of tolerance and suspicion they faced. Second, Protestant refugees arriving from the 1670s, notably the Huguenots fleeing persecution in France and the Palatines from the Rhineland. For each group, learn the reasons for emigrating (religious persecution, war, poverty), their reception in Britain (sympathy, charity, but also hostility and fears about jobs), their impact (skills in silk weaving, silverwork, brewing and other trades) and the extent of their assimilation into local communities over time. A strong answer compares reasons, reception, impact and assimilation rather than listing facts.

What earns the marks

• Places the readmission of Jews in 1656 and describes their experiences, including worship and work in trade and finance.
• Identifies Huguenots and Palatines as Protestant refugees arriving from the 1670s and gives their reasons for emigrating, such as religious persecution and poverty.
• Describes the reception of these refugees, including both sympathy and charity and hostility or fears about competition for work.
• Explains the impact of Huguenot and Palatine settlers through skills in trades such as silk weaving and silverwork.
• Assesses the extent of assimilation, recognising that some refugees integrated into local communities while others remained distinct.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Dates the readmission of Jews to the wrong century.

  Put it right: Place it in 1656 within the c.1500–1900 period.

• Treats Huguenots and Palatines as a single group with identical reasons.

  Put it right: Distinguish French Protestant persecution from Palatine poverty and war.

• Describes reception as wholly welcoming or wholly hostile.

  Put it right: Show both sympathy and hostility.

• Claims assimilation was complete or absent.

  Put it right: Assess the extent using evidence of integration and of continuing distinct communities.

Exam tips

• Check the question asks about reasons, reception, impact or assimilation before choosing.
• Reject options that place events outside the c.1500–1900 period.
• Link each refugee group to a specific trade or skill when judging impact.