Australian Frontier Wars

Question 1

What were some of the causes of conflict between the settlers and the Aboriginals?

Answer 1

1. ‘Trespassing’ vs access to land/water being blocked
2. Misunderstandings over use of land eg. Farmers thinking natives are burning their crops, but really they are traditionally hunting.
3. Tit-for-tat/revenge fighting
4. Conflicting cultural customs and values

Question 2

What were the different fighting styles like?

Answer 2

• Europeans had superior weapons and the numbers.
• Aboriginals used guerrilla warfare.

Question 3

Who was Pemulwuy and what was he known for?

Answer 3

• Pemulwuy of the Eora people led coordinated attacks against the soldiers and colonists on the outskirts of Sydney.
• Pemulwuy led a 10 year guerrilla war.
• In 1802 he was shot down by two British colonists. His head was sent to England as a trophy of war and a symbol of European domination over Aboriginals.

Question 4

What happened at the Myall Creek Massacre in 1838?

Answer 4

• Aboriginals killed two settlers living in Inverell, NSW.
• 12 local stockmen (11 ex-convicts) wanted revenge.
• They rode to the nearest Aboriginal camp, near Myall Creek, and tied up 28 of the people.
• They beat the Aboriginals to death while they were still tied together and their bodies were burned.
• Significant because this was the only time Europeans were found guilty of violence towards Aboriginals and punished.

Question 5

What was the frontier violence that was happening across Australia called?

Answer 5

The Black Wars