Final answer:
The White British reaction to Indian and Pakistani immigrants was mixed, with some expressing xenophobic sentiments while others recognized their contributions to society. This mirrored broader historical patterns of varying public sentiment and government policy towards different immigrant groups, influenced by necessity and prejudice. The complex relationship between Britain and its former colonies also contributed to the initial antagonism between India and Pakistan post-independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding the White British reaction to Indian and Pakistani immigrants is a complex and broad subject that correlates with the attitudes of British society towards immigration from former colonies following the period of decolonization. The reaction was varied, with some British citizens feeling threatened by the new arrivals, fearing job competition, and expressing xenophobic sentiments. However, others were more welcoming, appreciated the cultural diversity, and recognized the economic contributions made by the immigrants. Reflecting on past immigration trends and the complex relationship between Britain and its former colonies, such as the discriminatory policies faced by Jewish and Irish immigrants mentioned in the historical context provided, it's evident that the British response to immigrants has often depended on the intersection of race, religion, and the socio-economic context of the times.
There were also structural factors at play, such as the post-war labor shortages that necessitated immigration from the Commonwealth, balanced against the racial prejudices and cultural misunderstandings that sometimes led to tensions and even violence, like the notorious Notting Hill race riots of 1958. This underscores the broader historical pattern of varying public sentiment and government policy toward different groups of immigrants, influenced by both necessity and prejudice. The British were responsible for early antagonisms between India and Pakistan due to the hasty and ill-planned partition of British India in 1947, which created lasting disputes, particularly over the region of Kashmir.