Australia - British settlement was a disaster for Aborigine population essay plan

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• Whether the brit settlement of australia was a disaster for Aborigine population has been debated among historians for centuries.
• Keith Windschuttle ‘was nothing that resembled genocide, which requires murderous intention against a whole race of people’ - whether this was the case or whether Brit settlement did lead to disaster for Aborigines is what i will discuss in this essay.

Question 2

Phillip (1788-79)

Answer 2

• gov sent instructions to ‘open an intercourse with the Savage Natives and to conciliate their affections’ - reflected in Phillip’s non-aggressive policy towards Eora tribe - so initially seemed brit settlement would have limited impact on Aborigines, let alone a disastrous one.
• Phillip’s public flogging of 2 settlers who stole from Aborigines was meant to be a sign of good faith from brits but appalled Aborigines and lead to greater hostility towards Aboriginals.
• Brit settlement bound to be disaster as brit showed up without a treaty on the ground of ‘Terra Nullius’ as land without agriculture seen as waste and unowned.
  §Whether Terra Nullius result of good but mislead intentions or a clear sign of brit gov being disingenuous about wanting to be kind, it meant that when brits did get there it resulted in disaster for Aborigines.
• Smallpox epidemic, bio warfare or accident? either way wiped out 50% of Aboriginal population in 1878.
• Therefore without a doubt initial brit settlement disaster for Aborigines.

Question 3

Macquarie (1810-21)

Answer 3

• Many Aborigines also wiped out by settler action and the denied access of the traditional fishing grounds, along with actions of Macquarie.
• Elitist attitude = ‘civilising mission’ = civilisation of savages by giving them ‘knowledge, virtue and happiness’.
• Forbade Aborigines carrying weapons within 2km of houses or towns.
• Stopped Aborigines congregating in groups over six, even when unarmed.
• Authorised settlers to establish vigilante groups.
• Formed 3 new military outposts - most wanted Aboriginal ‘murderers’ outlawed and this liable to be shot on sight.
• Clearly policies implemented by Macquarie as a consequence of brit settlement in Australia contributed to catastrophe for the Aboriginal population.

Question 4

Arthur (1824-36)

Answer 4

• Brit settlement most disastrous in Tasmania.
• Initially Arthur placed Aboriginal people under protection of brit law and intended to establish a ‘native institution’.
• Settler population growing fears of Aborigines resulting in hostility and violence towards them.
• Aboriginal attacks became pre-emptive + settler violence continued, Arthurs position began to shift, began to place more blame on Aborigines for the attacks.
• 1826 - gov’s position too that Aborigines at fault and were committing atrocious acts against settlers.
• 1828 - creation of settled districts hoping to curve violence through segregation, didn’t work.
  § Idea from transportation in brit empire?
• When was inevitably unsuccessful Arthur declared martial law against Aborigines = annihilation of Aborigines in Tasmania, last one died in 1876.
  § Henry Reynolds - ‘inspire them with terror’.
• Thus brit settlement disaster for Aborigines.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

• Fully agree brit settlement was utter disaster for Aboriginal population.
• Keith Windschuttle incorrect, poorly enforced protection of Aborigines by brit gov + actions of several governors did lead to ‘murderous intention against a whole race of people’ and without a doubt what occurred in Van Diemen’s land was genocidal.
• It is clear brit settlement did lead to disaster.