Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History

    Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016

    The historic environment - 1 Notting Hill, c1948–c1970: The national and…

    Full specification wording

    Option 13: The historic environment - 1 Notting Hill, c1948–c1970: The national and regional context: Britain after the Second World War, reconstruction and demand for labour; the connection to the British Empire and Commonwealth. The ‘Swinging Sixties’. Poverty in London. Policing in London.

    Post-WWII Britain faced massive reconstruction, creating a severe labour shortage.

    Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 5 of 5
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Post-WWII Britain faced massive reconstruction, creating a severe labour shortage. To meet this demand, the government encouraged migration from the British Empire and Commonwealth, notably the Caribbean, leading to the Windrush generation. Regionally, London experienced stark contrasts; while the 'Swinging Sixties' brought cultural revolution, fashion, and music to areas like Chelsea, parts of London like Notting Hill suffered severe poverty, slum housing, and racial tension. Policing in London during this period was often strained, with the Metropolitan Police facing criticism for their handling of race relations and community tensions, particularly during the 1958 Notting Hill riots and subsequent community events.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain the link between post-war reconstruction and the demand for labour from the Commonwealth.
    • Describe the cultural shifts of the 'Swinging Sixties' and how they contrasted with the reality of poverty in London.
    • Identify the specific housing and economic challenges faced by residents in impoverished areas like Notting Hill.
    • Analyse the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the local communities, highlighting tensions and specific incidents.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Assuming the 'Swinging Sixties' meant prosperity for everyone.

      Put it right: Acknowledge the stark contrast between cultural booms and persistent poverty in areas like Notting Hill.

    • Confusing the British Empire with the Commonwealth.

      Put it right: Understand that the period saw a transition from Empire to Commonwealth, with migrants holding British citizenship under the 1948 Act.

    • Viewing policing as universally supportive.

      Put it right: Recognise the documented tensions and mistrust between the Metropolitan Police and the Caribbean community.

    Exam tips

    • Use the 1948 British Nationality Act as a concrete example of the connection to the Commonwealth.
    • Contrast the media image of the 'Swinging Sixties' with the lived experience of poverty in Notting Hill to show nuanced understanding.
    • When discussing policing, refer to specific events like the 1958 riots to illustrate community relations.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Option 13: The historic environment - 1 Notting Hill, c1948–c1970: The national and regional context: Britain after the Second World War, reconstruction and demand for labour; the connection to the British Empire and Commonwealth. The ‘Swinging Sixties’. Poverty in London. Policing in London. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which of the following best describes the primary economic reason for migration from the British Empire and Commonwealth to Britain immediately after the Second World War?

    Listen

    Post-WWII Britain faced massive reconstruction, creating a severe labour shortage. To meet this demand, the government encouraged migration from the British Empire and Commonwealth, notably the Caribbean, leading to the Windrush generation. Regionally, London experienced stark contrasts; while the 'Swinging Sixties' brought cultural revolution, fashion, and music to areas like Chelsea, parts of London like Notting Hill suffered severe poverty, slum housing, and racial tension. Policing in London during this period was often strained, with the Metropolitan Police facing criticism for their handling of race relations and community tensions, particularly during the 1958 Notting Hill riots and subsequent community events. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the link between post-war reconstruction and the demand for labour from the Commonwealth. Describe the cultural shifts of the 'Swinging Sixties' and how they contrasted with the reality of poverty in London. Identify the specific housing and economic challenges faced by residents in impoverished areas like Notting Hill. Analyse the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the local communities, highlighting tensions and specific incidents. A common slip: Assuming the 'Swinging Sixties' meant prosperity for everyone. Instead, acknowledge the stark contrast between cultural booms and persistent poverty in areas like Notting Hill. Exam tip: Use the 1948 British Nationality Act as a concrete example of the connection to the Commonwealth.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. Post-WWII reconstruction leads to a severe labour shortage. That shortage leads to the government encouraging migration from the British Empire and Commonwealth, which leads to the Windrush generation. This leads to stark contrasts in London, which splits into two branches: the 'Swinging Sixties' cultural revolution, and poverty, slum housing and racial tension in Notting Hill. The Notting Hill branch leads to strained policing and criticism of the Metropolitan Police, which leads to the 1958 Notting Hill riots and subsequent community events.
    Shows how post-war reconstruction and labour shortage led to Commonwealth migration, and how London's contrasts fed into poverty, tension and policing in Notting Hill.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Post-war reconstruction

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Migration and Empire

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Swinging Sixties

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Policing in London

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Post-war reconstruction
    The massive rebuilding of Britain after the Second World War, which created a severe labour shortage.
    Migration and Empire
    The government's encouragement of migration from the British Empire and Commonwealth, notably the Caribbean, to meet the demand for labour.
    Swinging Sixties
    A cultural revolution bringing fashion and music to areas like Chelsea, which contrasted with poverty elsewhere in London.
    Policing in London
    The work of the Metropolitan Police, which faced criticism for its handling of race relations and community tensions.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. Post-WWII reconstruction leads to a severe labour shortage. That shortage leads to the government encouraging migration from the British Empire and Commonwealth, which leads to the Windrush generation. This leads to stark contrasts in London, which splits into two branches: the 'Swinging Sixties' cultural revolution, and poverty, slum housing and racial tension in Notting Hill. The Notting Hill branch leads to strained policing and criticism of the Metropolitan Police, which leads to the 1958 Notting Hill riots and subsequent community events.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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