Windrush and Post-War Immigration

The arrival of the SS Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948 is one of the most iconic moments in the history of migration to Britain. It marked the beginning of large-scale immigration from the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth, which would transform British society and culture.

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Why Did People Come to Britain?

Push Factors (reasons to leave)

Factor	Detail
Poverty	Limited economic opportunities in the Caribbean; low wages and high unemployment
Natural disasters	Hurricanes had devastated parts of the Caribbean
Overcrowding	Small island populations with limited land and resources

Pull Factors (reasons to come to Britain)