East End of London

The term East End is most commonly used to refer to the East End of London.

History

The East End has always been one of the poorest areas of London. The main reasons for this include the undesirability of living in the direction of the prevaling wind from the city centre in the days of open fires, the large amount of low paid employment in the docks and related industries, and the location of the court and political centre of London on the opposite western side of the City of London. Throughout history the area has absorbed waves of immigrants who have each added a new dimension to the culture and history of the area. Most notably these have been the French protestant Huguenots, the Jews and the Bangladeshi community.

Related Topics:
City of London - Immigrants - Huguenots - Jew - Bangladeshi

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Whilst these immigrants have enriched both the area and the country, the East End has also been a focus for racism in Britain. Racist events include the anti-Catholic Gordon riots in 1780,

Related Topics:
Racism - Gordon riots

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an anti-semitic Fascist march in 1936 (which was famously abandoned when blocked by a larger force of locals; c.f. the Battle of Cable Street), and recent anti-Asian violence, including a council seat win for the 'far right' British National Party in 1993 (since lost), and a 1999 bombing in Brick Lane.

Related Topics:
Battle of Cable Street - British National Party - 1999 bombing - Brick Lane

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In 1888 the area became notorious as the site of the crimes of Jack the Ripper. In 1911 it was the site of the Sidney Street Siege, and in the 1960s it was the area most associated with gangster activity, most notably that of the Krays.

Related Topics:
1888 - Crime - Jack the Ripper - 1911 - Sidney Street Siege - 1960s - Gangster - Krays

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Traditionally the home of London's docks and a large part of its industry, especially industries based on processing foodstuffs and other imported raw materials, the area was a continuous target during the blitz of World War II. Much of what little housing remained was removed as part of 'slum clearance' programmes. Post war, specifically 1960s, architecture dominates the housing estates of the area. From the mid 20th century, the docks declined in use and they are now all closed. London's main port is now at Tilbury outside the boundary of Greater London.

Related Topics:
Dock - Industry - Blitz - World War II - 1960s - 20th century - Tilbury

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