HASS Flashcards Term 1
Federation Timeline, Key Information, Reasons, etc
What are the reasons for Federation?
- Free Trade - the right to trade and export resources across country or state borders
- Immigration - white settlers were worried foreign migrators - such as Pacific Islanders - would charge lower fees for their labour, and, therefore, would be favoured when hired for jobs, and believed when Australia federated, they could minimise migration
- Women’s Suffrage - the right for women (especially when voting)
- Defence - each colony had their own seperate army, and if foreign nations decided to invade Australia, they would begin with the smaller colonies, grow their armies, and, eventually, take over the whole country. To stop that from happening, the settlers proposed for all of the armies to join together and create a large Defence Force
- National Pride & Identity - during the 1900s, most settlers were born in Australia, and therefore, felt a stronger connection to the country than European migrators. It was important for Australia to present a united and strong front when disagreeing with foriegn nations, and when versing them in sports events
- Transport - each colony had their own train tracks with differing widths, delaying workers and families attempting to cross state borders, as they had to transport all of the passengers and cargo from one train to another. This problem was later solved by a train with two sets of wheels (one set in the center, and one set on the length of train)
- Laws - it was unfair to settlers paying tariffs and recieving punishments in stricter colonies, when smaller states charged less taxes and enforced less dramatic penalties
What date did Australia federate?
Australia federated on the 1st of January, 1901.
Who was Australia’s first prime minister?
Australia’s first Prime Minister was Sir Edmund Barton.
Why was free trade important regarding federation and Australia’s development? (For)
Although governments were provided with much revenue from tariffs, they restricted movement and trade in the colonies, increased the costs of goods, and made it hard for manufacturers outside of the settlements to compete with local producers. Free trade was important, as once Australia federated, it would benefit from having a single, large, and robust economy; giving confidence to those who considered trading in the country. It would also appeal to international traders, who would then only need to pay one set of tariffs to trade with Australia (as six individual colonies with their own differing taxes were considered ‘too much effort for such little gain’ in some cases). Without free trade, Australia wouldn’t be the thriving, wealthy and diverse community it is today, as foreign producers wouldn’t bother to export their resources over state borders, as the fees would be too expensive.
Why are settlers’ ties with England important regarding federation? (Against)
90% of the people involved in the debate towards Federation were British, and were concerned about becoming a separate nation, and destroying their relationship and connections with the country they originated from. The Europeans suspected that their kin would eventually forget about their origins, and that the people still living in England would lose contact with their accomplices once the six states joined together. This was because the English believed that once Australia became a union, The Mother Country would presume that the new continent wouldn’t need it’s resources, defence, and advice, leaving the country defenceless and without supplies.
Why was defence important regarding federation? (For)
Before federation, each colony had their own separate armies consisting of a small permanent force and volunteers; although a report written by British Major -General Sir J. Bevan Edwards issued in 1889, stated the colonies didn’t have enough soldiers, weapons, or ammunition to adequately protect the country and it’s vast coastline from foreign invaders, and recommended a national defence force be established. Australia also relied on the British navy to guard the continent, and several colonists were worried the country would be vulnerable to attack from nations who had already colonised parts of the Pacifics (including France, Germany and Russia). As a result to Australia’s short distance from Asia, settlers also feared countries such as Japan and China would easily overrun the colonies with their larger populations and greater military might. Once the forces united as one, the colonies believed they would be stronger together, and could defend their country against foreign nations.
Why was immigration important regarding federation? (For)
During the early 19th century, many people did not support immigration from non-British colonies. After feeling anti-Chinese sentiment originating from the goldfields during the late 1850s, and resentment towards Pacific Islanders who worked in Australia’s sugar industry for low pay; many colonists feared ‘cheap’ non-white labour competing with them for jobs, leading to lower wages and a poorer standard of living. Racial conflict was seen as a consequence for a multicultural society, and settlers felt a national government would more likely succeed in controlling immigration than the colonies. Once federated, people believed they could maintain a ‘White Australia’ by toughening immigration laws as a result of their strong dislike towards foreigners, and thought it would provide more job opportunities for Australians.
Why was national pride and identity important regarding federation? (For)
By federation in 1901, over three quarters of the population were Australian-born, and most colonists shared a common language, culture, and heritage; beginning to identify as Australian rather than British. In 1889, soldiers from colonies serving in the Boer War in South Africa fought together as Australians, and several songs and poems celebrated Australia and Australians. Sporting teams were also representing ‘Australia’ instead of individual colonies, and the country was known internationally as a nation, rather than individual states. People in Australia were also travelling across state borders to find jobs.
Why was transport important regarding federation? (For)
As there were no standard railway gauge across the country, families and traders received a great deal of inconvenience when needing to change trains and transport goods from one train to another when crossing state lines, as each colony had their own railway line with differing widths. This was a result of lack of communication during the planning phase of designing and building, and colonists believed that the inconvenience was a waste of time and money, hoping federation would introduce uniform to the railway gauges, although changes were only introduced around eighty years later, when a train with two sets of wheels was created.
Why were laws important regarding federation? (For)
Laws were enforced differently across states, and colonists believed that it would bring more equity and stability to the country if the same ones applied to everyone (this included laws such as taxes and banking, which was important during the Great Depression; a time of economical instability). They also could be enforced better if accused people didn’t have the option to escape to a neighbouring colony.
Why were women’s suffrage important regarding federation? (For)
Womens’s suffrage was important, as it allowed them to have a say in government policies that affected them. Before the first wave of feminism during the nineteenth and early twentieth century, men believed women didn’t want to vote, and were not educated or intelligent enough to hold an opinion. Many believed that they should focus on raising children and completing housework, enabling men to decide on policies affecting them.
Why were powerful states important regarding federation? (Against)
Smaller colonies feared larger states (such as New South Wales and Victoria) would dominate federation, and some colonies would be stronger than others; which is why Western Australia initially held back from joining the federation, to secure it’s economical security, given it’s distance from densely populated eastern states.
Why were unions important regarding federation? (Against)
Unionists believed they had a better chance receiving gains from workers in their own colonies as the labour movement pushed for better wages in them.
Why were Queensland’s Cane Farmers important regarding federation? (Against)
Queensland’s cane farmers opted to employ Pacific Islanders, as they charged lower wages for their labour, and were worried a new Federal Parliament would restrict immigration of non - British people, meaning they would lose the foreigners working in their fields, and would need to hire colonists who charged higher fees, making them receive less profit than before.
What is a federation (federate)?
A federation is a separate group of colonies, states, or nations that join together to create one united nation, ruled by the same government, following the same laws, and presenting a united front in front of foreign nations while competing in sport or raising a political statement. For example, Australia federated on the 1st of January, 1901, and the six states that make up the country agreed on being ruled by the parliament and the laws they enforced.
