An Introduction to European Migration

Slavery

• Migration usually results from labour shortages and surpluses being balanced by the movement of people (labour)

• This began in earnest during the time of slavery

• From 1442 the Portuguese were enslaving Africans and bringing them back to Portugal to work as labours.

Europe to the “New World”

• Between 1846 and 1939 around 51 million people left Europe (12% of the population).

• The main destination was the USA, with Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Australia and others also popular places.

• Britain (+ 8 million) and Germany (+ 3.5 million) supplied the largest numbers.

Since WW2

• During the 1950s many Europeans wanted to leave (an opinion poll at the time suggested 25% of UK residents would leave if possible)

• The boom times of the 1960s led to a high demand for labour. the UK turned to the Caribbean and Indian sub-continent, France to North Africa and Germany to Yugoslavia and Turkey.

• Net immigration reached around 10 million

The Closing of the Door• Opposition to immigration was already

growing but the 1973 OPEC oil crises was the final catalyst.

• Countries went into recession, doors were closed and guest workers expected to leave.

• However, many had already put down roots and a steady stream of family members joining migrants continued

Current Issues and Trends

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

• Refugees (under the 1951 Geneva convention a person with “well founded fear of persecution”) and asylum seekers (a term developed by governments during the 1990s to cope with the fact that many “refugees” were actually economic migrants).

• In 2000 Europe received over 400,000 applications for asylum with the biggest groups from former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

Illegal Immigrants

The Expansion of the EU

• Free movement of persons is one of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by European community law (Article 39 of the EC Treaty) and is also an essential element of European citizenship.

• But, countries are allowed to phase this in based on national policies and requirements – the UK opened its doors (over ½ million Poles came within the first year), Austria and Germany have not.

The EU-15 vs. the Rest

Final Thoughts

• Ageing populations, rising dependency ratios and labour shortages vs. gangs, people smuggling and modern day slavery.

• Vibrant, multi-cultural societies thriving in a integrated globalised world vs. racism, social un-rest and the return of the neo-Nazi.

EssayEssay title:

Is it simply a case of “cheap nannies, cheap restaurants and Polish plumbers”?

• Describe and explain the increase in migration into the UK from 2004.

• Analyse and evaluate its socio economic impact. • Outline and give reasons for the current trend of migrants

returning to their home countries.Max word count: 1000

Focus on: • Correct referencing of the article provided plus at least

three other sources.• Summary of a case study of economic migration.