1968: Rivers of Blood (V1404)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

On 20 April 1968, Conservative MP Enoch Powell delivered one of the most controversial speeches in modern political history. Powell warned that the migration of racial and ethnic minorities to Britain threatened to tear the country’s social and economic fabric. His speech stoked the flames of reaction ignited by the arrival of thousands of Caribbean migrants immediately following the end of the Second World War.

On this module, you’ll assess the contested development of multi-racialism in post-war Britain. You’ll explore:

• the factors that precipitated migration
• social unrest and the demands to close Britain’s borders that resulted from it
• the fight for racial equality by black and white activists.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• American Studies and History (with a study abroad year) BA
• English and History BA
• History BA
• History and Anthropology BA
• History and International Relations BA
• History and Philosophy BA
• History and Politics BA
• History and Sociology BA