How Did the Approach of France Towards Immigration and Racism Differ from That of Britain and Which Could Be Regarded as More Successful?

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Ever since the French Revolution of 1789 France was considered to be a country that defended human rights and home for asylum seekers and refugees. After World War Two France passed a new law under which the inhabitants of France’s colonies in North Africa were allowed to move freely between North Africa and France. This law was designed to undermine growing demands for independence in its colonies. As a result large numbers of immigrants arrived in France from the 1950s onwards. The French government adopted a policy of assimilation towards immigrants who arrived in its country. This policy of immigrants accepting the ways and traditions of France led to tensions in French society. Many Beurs feel that their identity as French citizens of North African origin is not properly recognised. The headscarf affair in 1989 also demonstrated the difficulties of attempting to assimilate people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Britain also saw a significant rise in immigration from its colonies after World War Two as people from Asia, Africa and the West Indies took advantage of their right to settle in the United Kingdom. Britain adopted a different approach to the French in recognising the cultural diversity of its population, recognising that differences in cultures do exist and that they should be respected. However, many people in Britain argued that cultural diversity was leading to the destruction of British culture and traditions and led to rising racial tensions. Like in France where racial tensions led to rioting in the cités, Britain suffered rioting in 1981 in Brixton in London and Toxteth in Liverpool. Immigrants in France accused the police of repression in immigrant communities. Similarly young people from ethnic minorities in Britain resented the use of the ‘Sus Laws’ by the police to stop and search people on the street on suspicion alone. The

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