A Joined Nation-Federation

1. A Joined Nation-Federation By Emily

2. Why did Australia become a Nation? Photos Taken By Wendy Donovan, 1994 On the first of January 1901, Australia federated, but why did they become a nation? There is not just one answer – Federation was driven by transport, customs, trade anddefencereasons. Before Federation, there were customs at the borders between each colony.Customs – you’d see them at the airport when you’re going on a holiday to another country. They’re the people with the metal detectors that make sure there aren’t any smugglers or bad guys trying to get into their country. Location of Oontoo Customs On the border of South Australia and Queensland

3. Before 1901, you couldn’t just drive in a car, on a road interstate. Travel back then was mostly by train or horse and carriage. Believe it or not, each colony had different railway systems which didn’t meet. Every time you crossed a state border ( in the middle of no where) you had to change trains. If Australia was a nation, that wouldn’t be necessary. As well as the trouble with security, farmers and other producers had trouble transporting their goods interstate. They couldn’t trade between states without paying customs duties. It was very expensive and people working in the trade couldn’t make a profit out of it. Back in the 1800’s each colony had its own army or defenceforce. Each colony was quite separate with separate armies. Leading up to federation, the majority of Australian people believed that an army of a country would be better than multiple smaller armies that worked differently. Federation would bring those armies together. http://www.bwm.org.au/site/About_the_War.asp

4. How did Australian Society Change Between 1890-1915? Because of the Immigration Restriction Act 1902 Australia’s population profile changed. Asian and non-European populations decreased dramatically as it was designed to do, whilst encouraging the white European migrants to come to Australia. Many of these white European migrants came from Italy and Greece. Prior to Federation, the Australian aborigines had acts protecting them and allowing them to vote. After 1901 aboriginals were excluded from voting and had no civil rights. It remained this way for decades until various acts came out between 1948-1975 and aboriginals were given equal rights to any white Australian. It wasn’t just the aboriginals that were trying to earn voting rights – women living in the late 1800’s had no voting rights. Back then, women were considered as people to be used around the house and to take care of kids. Women suffragette committees worked to their extent to earn women’s rights and eventually, after the country federated, women got their votes as well as the right to be elected into parliament in 1902. Australia was the first country in the world to grant women voting rights. http://www.mamamia.com.au/news/julia-gillard-womens-rights-and-emilys-list-equality-to-come/

5. Who were the people who came to Australia? During The Gold Rush, thousands of the Chinese came to Australia to make money out of the lure of gold. Although, Australia did not want the competition, they wanted to restrict the Asian migrants. People had started to believe that if the all the colonies were bound together, it would be easier to do something about the migrants. Believe it or not, when Federation did occur, one of the first pieces of legislation passed was the Immigration Restriction Act which is now known as the infamous white Australian policy. The act stated that anyone who wanted to migrate had to pass a dictation test. The dictation test was put into action in 1902 . Originally, the dictation test was a 50 word literal test that could be given in any European language (English, French, Italian). Although, in 1905 the federal government changed the test so that it could be in any prescribed language. They did this because they wanted to lessen offence to Japan, because Britain (Australia’s mother country) was Japan’s Ally. http://globerove.com/australia/australian-gold-rush-chinese-labour/4514

6. http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/objectsthroughtime/immigration-restriction-act/http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/objectsthroughtime/immigration-restriction-act/ You would have thought the test would be in English, But arguments were made about how it would discourage European migration and advantage the Japanese and Americans of African descents. The dictation test was purposely aimed at excluding non-European migrants. It was very lucky for any Asians to past the test, really. Anyone who failed the test was refused entry to the country or deported. The test occurred 805 times between 1902-1903 with only 46 of them passing ( that’s 46/805). Whereas in between 1904-1909 the test occurred 554 times with only 6 of the migrants passing. From 1909 onwards not one migrant passed the test. The dictation test remained in force until 1958.

7. Outline a significant individual or group’s contribution to Australian society during this time.Louisa (Albury) Lawson: Louisa Lawson was an extremely talented author and poet. Louisa Lawson was born as Louisa Albury on the 17th of February 1848 in Guntawang (near Mudgee), New South Wales. When she was 18, She married Neil Hertsberg Larson, who later on changed his name to Peter Lawson. The family settled down on a small farm, although Peter was away for long periods of time doing contracting jobs. Louisa was left to do all the house, farm and family work. In 1883, Louisa moved to Sydney to start up a boarding house. She met lots of interesting people including social reformers and political radicals, she soon became immersed in local issues. http://timeline.awava.org.au/archives/96

8. Later on, Louisa’s son Henry Lawson ( the famous Australian poet ) moved to Sydney and re-united with his mother. In 1887-1888 Henry and Louisa edited a publication called The Republican. This newspaper was calling all Australians to unite as a federated Australia, although it only lasted two issues. In 1888, Louisa started a new publication called The Dawn: Journal for Australian women. It was the first publication of its kind; printed and edited by women. It featured interests important to women that weren’t usually included in normal publications. It offered advice, discussed politics, contained short stories, included news of women’s activities around the world and also had fashion articles and sewing patterns. In 1891, Louisa joined the Women’s Suffrage League. To support the effort of the league she let the league use The Dawn to advertise women’s rights. Louisa was highly credited for helping and earning women’s rights to vote right around Australia. All her hard work had paid off when in 1902 women were given the rights to vote. Louisa was hailed the mother of womanhood suffrage. Louisa Lawson continued to write The Dawn and earn women’s rights till her death on the 12th of August 1920. http://lanabrindley.blogspot.com.au/2011/02 /louisa-lawson-and-digitise-dawn-project.html

9. thank you for watching Bibliography • http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-government/australias-federation • http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_Australia_become_a_nation • http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/federation.htm • http://www.abc.net.au/civics/democracy/trends.htm • http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/changing-face-of-early-australia • http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au http://alldownunder.com/australian-authors/louisa-lawson/index.html Mindjet mind maps ( planning app ) Title Image: http://taylorhooton.org/new-law-25-years-in-jail-for-steroid-possession-and-supply/