Australia Early Stages

Question 1

When Cook claimed Australia, what did he declare the land as being? Why?

Answer 1

Terra Nullius - land belonging to no one. Land had no visible boundaries, system of economy, no legal system or permanent structures.

Question 2

What was the benefits of declaring Australia Terra Nullius?

Answer 2

• Terra Nullius helped justify occupying the land of people who were not Christian.
• Terra Nullius means that British didn’t have to recognise native title (rights to land).
• Terra Nullius means British didn’t have to negotiate treaties.

Question 3

When and where did the First Fleet land in Australia?

Answer 3

• 1788
• Sydney Cove on Gadigal land

Question 4

What did initial contact bring to the Aboriginals?

Answer 4

• Fatal European diseases.
• Competition for clean water and food sources.
• Destruction of the natural environment.
• Desecration of sacred sites.
• Loss of land and property.
• Loss of traditional hunting-and-gathering way of life.

Question 5

What were the reasons for colonising Australia?

Answer 5

• Somewhere to bring prisoners.
• Imperialist desire for more land (land = power/wealth).
• Britain needing a secure trading colony in the South Pacific.
• Resources, like flax and pine for the British Navy.
• Convicts were cheap labour.

Question 6

What was learnt through the Dreaming?

Answer 6

• key features of their world and how it came to be.
• significance of sacred sites.
• laws and the rules.
• kinship relationships.
• rituals and ceremonies.

Question 7

How do Aboriginals maintain links with their ancestors?

Answer 7

• caring for the land and for living things.
• carrying out certain rituals and ceremonies.
• passing on Dreaming secrets.

Question 8

What is the value of kinship?

Answer 8

It connects Aboriginals to their country, the environment, and a law system.