Migrants and the Making of Modern Australia Short Answer Test Flashcards
Name a piece of legislation that formed part of the White Australia Policy?
Immigration Restriction Act (1901)
Pacific Island Labourers Act (1901) [allowed for deportation of Pacific Islanders& restriction of more coming]
Commonwealth Franchise Act (1902) [defined the rights of migrants and stripped away rights of non-British migrants to citizenships, therefore the right to vote]
Naturalisation Act (1902)
Name 3 nationalities affected by the Amending Immigration Act (‘Enemy Aliens Act) of 1920?
German, Austrian-German, Turks, Bulgarians, Hungarians
During the period from 1902 to 1946, what could result in the loss of citizenship rights for Female British subjects?
Marrying an ‘alien’, meaning an non-naturalised subject/citizen
o law overturned in 1946
What was a requirement for Jews granted admission to Australia in the 1930s? Would also be worth knowing the percent or number of Jewish applicants accepted each year.
Jews had to be sponsored by Jewish or philanthropic organisations; weren’t given assisted passages by government
Australian sets a quota of 10% of Jewish Applications.
Why was the migrant intake quota significantly reduced during the Depression era in Australia? This question is a bit easy!
Australia stopped funding assisted passages. Not many people were trying to enter Australia during the depression and there were more people leaving the country than people arriving. There were also not enough jobs in the economy and there were fears of loosing out to a Chinese migrant workforce who were willing to work for cheaper.
o The strategy to protect ‘native’ born Australians’ jobs was by reducing migrant intake quota e.g. intake of Italians and Greeks halved
o Aus didn’t actually have to worry too much because people were not trying to come here during the depression
o Net emigration: permanent
Australia’s quota system in the 1920s responded to a similar policy implemented by which country?
USA
What was the main purpose of the Immigration Restriction Act?
- prohibited various classes of people from immigrating, including those with infectious diseases, those recently imprisoned, prostitutes or pimps, and “idiots” or “insane” persons
- included provision for potential migrants to be given a dictation test – designed to prohibit entry to non-whites and those not of British character
Name a possible exception to the Dictation test for Asian immigrants?
Business heirs and family reunions
In response to anti-Chinese sentiment, what did the New South Wales government enact in 1861? Maybe rephrase: e.g. what measures were introduced in 1861 in NSW to limit the influx of Chinese to the state?
Chinese Immigration Act (1861) - residence tax on Chinese people to stop them from coming to Australia
*They would escape the £10 tax by arriving in Robe, SA and then walking over to VIC
How did the government of Victoria aim to discourage Chinese immigration and settlement? OR In Victoria in 1855, what was one of the measures implemented to restrict Chinese migration by sea? Would be good to know all of the measures aimed at preventing their entry
Victoria in 1855 implements the following laws to stop the Chinese from entering Aus:
a) £10 tax for every Chinese entering by sea (meaning they had to pay for the trip, and set up costs)
b) limitation of Chinese landings to 1 Chinese person for every 10 tons of ship’s weight
c) est. of Protectorates to control Chinese on the goldfields NSW: Chinese Immigration Act (1861) – residence tax on Chinese
What were the consequences for ships suspected of carrying illegal immigrants?
Both captain and the owners of ships transporting illegal immigrants fined £100 for each immigrant (unless European)
How did Australia’s non-European population compare to other countries by 1947, due to the ‘White Australia Policy’?
By 1947, the non-European population (excluding Indigenous/First Nations people) was measured by the Census as just 0.25% of Australia’s total population. Aust had become one of the ‘whitest’ countries in the world outside north-western Europe.
How did Canada’s Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 impact immigration from China? This question won’t be asked, as it isn’t directly related to Australia.
Canada – Chinese Immigration Act (1885), imposed a hefty tax on all immigrants from China…strengthened with Chinese Immigration Act (1923) which banned Chinese immigration entirely ($50 > $100 > $500 which was equivalent to two years worth of Canadian wages) (and it was 1 Chinese person per 50 tonnes of weight on the ship)
How many people passed the Dictation Test after 1909?
None passed after 1909.
[* 1902-3: only 46 of 805 people passed test
* 1904-9: only 6 of 554 of people passed
]
The Dictation Test, despite being used in fewer than 2000 cases, was considered effective for achieving what goal? OR Despite its application in fewer than 2000 instances, the Dictation Test remained effective in achieving which primary objective? Would be good to know how the Dictation Test operated in practice - i.e. what was involved.
Dictation test was designed to prohibit entry of non-whites and those not of British character to Australia.
50 word passage, any European language (but any language could be chosen and could be administered in several languages)
Why did Australia refrain from explicitly naming undesirable races in the Immigration Restriction Act?
Australia could not explicitly name undesirable races in the Immigration Restriction Act for fear of embarrassing Britain
o Because Britain had signed treaties/alliances with some Asian countries such as Japan and because its empire had administration and control over India .
Name 2 potential consequences for illegal immigrants under the Immigration Restriction Act.
Illegal immigrants could be imprisoned for up to six months, then deported
Name a reason why the Japanese were specifically targeted for internment Would be good to know all (three) reasons.
- Firstly, political affiliation of Japanese difficult to determine
o They did not have the equivalent of the fascist or Nazi parties which German and Italy had
o so for Germans and Italians to be interned they had to show that they had these political affiliations – like raising money for their political parties
o Therefore, it was easier to lock-up all the Japanese if we couldn’t determine their affiliation - Secondly, it was perceived that Japanese did not easily assimilate into Australian culture nor adopt Australian values
- Thirdly, it was perceived that Japanese had a fanatical devotion to their homeland which would lead them to outrageous acts – like sabotage
o i.e. Japanese soldiers had a strong loyalty to their country as such in the event if they became POWs it was expected that they try escaping even if it means death or kill themselves - Fate of (white) Australian-born women married to Japanese aliens?
o Their citizenship rights were forfeited and would become interned
o Even happened to an Aboriginal woman
Also Japan bombed Australia ?
Provide 2 examples of activities undertaken by internees during their internment
Gardening (agriculture industry was impeded by the war)
Music (pitched in to buy instruments)
Working (but only if they volunteered)
Golf, matriculation, opium poppies for morphine
Which country offered to take more Jews after the Evian conference? Not important enough to warrant a question in the quiz.
Dominican Republic
How many displaced persons from Europe did Australia accept between 1947-52? This is a good question!
170,000 displaced persons
[* Assisted DPs – 170,000 (approx. 60,000 Poles)
* Assisted British – 120,000
* Unassisted – 160,000 (mainly Europeans who came without assistance or under any humanitarian schemes)]
Why was Australia selective in the acceptance of displaced persons after WWII? A bit too broad. Questions will be more specific than this, asking for key dates, statistics, individuals (politicians, historians etc.), concepts, etc. that were spoken about in the lectures
Australia had a worker shortage and needed young men and women who were fit to work with them in manual labour and domestic work respectively. Young families were okay because children were malleable hence more likely to adopt Australian values. Older families and single mothers were less acceptable
What were the reasons Australia targeted the Japanese for internment? I just realised someone wrote a similar question (number 18 previously). Maybe based on your comment Dr. Paul, it can be reworded this way instead? Yes, this wording is fine.
Firstly, political affiliation of Japanese difficult to determine
o They did not have the equivalent of the fascist or Nazi parties which German and Italy had
o so for Germans and Italians to be interned they had to show that they had these political affiliations – like raising money for their political parties
o Therefore, it was easier to lock-up all the Japanese if we couldn’t determine their affiliation
* Secondly, it was perceived that Japanese did not easily assimilate into Australian culture nor adopt Australian values
* Thirdly, it was perceived that Japanese had a fanatical devotion to their homeland which would lead them to outrageous acts – like sabotage
o i.e. Japanese soldiers had a strong loyalty to their country as such in the event if they became POWs it was expected that they try escaping even if it means death or kill themselves
* Fate of (white) Australian-born women married to Japanese aliens?
o Their citizenship rights were forfeited and would become interned
o Even happened to an Aboriginal woman
Also Japan bombed Australia ?
How many British migrants arrived in Australia with the help of the Ten Pound Scheme? And how many/what percentage returned to Britain?
1.1 million ten pound poms
23% of ten pound poms returned home
What was the Good Neighbour Movement, and how did it aim to assist the integration of migrants into Australian culture?
The Good Neighbour Movement was introduced by Harold Holt where local organisations and church groups would put on events to teach migrants how to behave.
The aimed to assist integration through personal friendship, neighbourly companionship, and community of cultural interests
Explain what is meant by ‘pasta and polka’ multiculturalism in 2-3 sentences
Pasta and polka multiculturalism refers to multiculturalism that takes place at a very surface level. It accepts visible cultural differences such as food, clothing, music and dance, but does not go beyond this scope. Different cultural values, belief systems and philosophies/school of thought are not equally tolerated, therefore, reinforcing the British racial superiority and inferiority of everyone else.
- Therefore, it fails to address more fundamental questions of migrant or ethnic disadvantage and racism…
- Multiculturalism conceals the racism and ideas about racial superiority that still govern Aust social and cultural life…it is just another form of ‘assimilation’
- Creates the impression that particular ethnic cultures are ‘fixed’ and unchanging (China = sweet and sour pork; Dutch = funny shorts and slapping hands)
- Overlooks fact that
o (a) migrant home country cultures are sophisticated;
o (b) many migrants have adopted ‘Australianisms’
Where are Australia’s most prominent ethnic enclaves located, and which ethnic groups are most prevalent there?
Carlton - Italians
Cabramatta, Springvale, Footscray, Pennington, Ferryden Park - Vietnamese
(Cronulla - Lebanese?, Carlton - Jewish, Elizabeth - British, Greeks, Lebs?)
* Italians and Greeks – inner city
o Melbourne: Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond, Collingwood and Carlton
o Adelaide: Thebarton, Hindmarsh, St Peters, Kensington and the City
o Generally, they were used to small villages and the hustle and bustle that brought with it
* Eastern Europeans and Maltese – favoured ‘green field’ suburbs [outer suburbs]
* Jews went to areas already settled by Jews (St Kilda, Balaclava, Caulfield in Melbourne)
o most significant example of non-British middle-class migrant settlement
* British, Germans and Dutch – favoured outer suburbs, tended to segregate
* British industrial suburbs: Elizabeth (Adel); Sunshine (Melb); Kwinana (Perth)
* these migrant suburbs grew up around specific industries that actively recruited migrants for their workforce
What did PM John Howard change the Department of Multiculturalism to?
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
What year did the dictation test end?
Test was removed in 1958 under the Migration Act (1958). It was used in fewer than 2000 cases
Who was Al Grassby and what did he do?
Al Grassby, Minister for Immigration (under the Whitlam gov).
He was an early adopter of multiculturalism by introducing the idea of ‘the family of a nation’ where migrants’ cultural input was valued
Write your suggested quiz questions below. Note: They should pertain only to key dates, statistics, individuals (politicians, historians etc.), concepts, etc. that were spoken about in the lectures. If you require a more ‘detailed’ response, begin the question by writing ‘In 2-3 sentences, explain why…’
Aim of the White Australia Policy?
- Its goal was to keep Australia ‘white’, meaning:
o British in character
o Coming from Britain
o British traditions
o Understanding Christianity, rule of law and having white skin
o By excluding non-white people from coming to Australia
When did the White Australia Policy end?
It ended in the 1970s, but began to be scaled back in the 1950s
How many Chinese migrants were there from 1847-52?
42,000
What were Australians’ concerns about Chinese migrants? (total 4 reasons)
- China population: 300 million – China was so large but Aus was very small with a population of approx. 1 million (circa the 1850s)
- Chinese migrants ‘didn’t assimilate’ (lived and worked together, different religion) (not necessarily true)
- (Australians’) Feelings of racial superiority
- Chinese men had vices such as
gambling. and opium smoking
However, there were very low rates of Chinese people committing crimes
What was the real resentment for Chinese migrants?
- Real reason for Chinese animosity was that they were competitors in the workforce and goldfields
- They worked 7 days a week because they didn’t follow Christianity and take a break on the Sabbath, they worked from morning to dusk, they worked/help each other and were therefore very efficient
- They often sent the gold/money home to pay off debts that allowed them to migrate to begin with
- Therefore, they weren’t reinvesting that money back into the economy/local businesses of the Irishmen’s grocery shop and the Scotsmen’s pubs
Name one of two Anti-Chinese Riots.
- Buckland River ‘Massacre’, 1857
o robbery, arson, murder (?)…
o European miners marched on the Chinese camp [of the goldfields] to try and drive away the Chinese
o Murders were not proven to be associated with the riots
o Trial of the offenders and all were acquitted, except for 4 who had minor charges
o The offenders were treated like heroes outside the courthouse - Lambing Flats Riots, 1860-61
o robbery, arson
o Demonstration by “White miners vigilance committee” which were protesting against gambling dens
o They beat and wounded the Chinese quarter
o This happened over the course of six months
o Colonial authorities resolution was to keep the Chinese out of the area, rather rthan condemn the perpetrators
How did Chinese migrants use loopholes to enter Victoria?
- They would escape the £10 tax by arriving in Robe, SA and then walking over to VIC
- Hence, federation in 1901 worked together to stop these loopholes from being exploited and make the White Australia Policy Stronger
- But Chinese people arriving in Robe were also exploited because the boat would only come in so far and people would come with smaller boats and charge them to reach the coast because otherwise they would drown
Who was Egon Kisch?
- Egon Kisch, exiled from Germany for opposing Nazism [because he was a communist], arrived in Australia in 1934 [wanting to talk about communism] - Passed test in several languages, finally failed when he was tested in Scottish Gaelic
- Kisch challenges the decision in the High Court where the High Court found that Scottish Gaelic was not fairly part of the Act so the decision was overturned [of him being an illegal immigrant, but not many migrants had the inclination to do this]
Why did Australia want child migrants from the UK?
- Contribute to the building of ‘white Australia’ and the British Empire
o In the 20th c child migration schemes involved mostly British children
o These children help build ties between Australia and the Motherland (England)
o This was to uphold the white Australia and reinforce the British Empire - i.e. young age meant their were more malleable and would not have ingrained biases
Peak era of child migration?
Child migration peaks in the 1870s (to WWI)
Who were the child migrants?
- ¼ of convicts sent to Australia were under 18 years old
- They assumed similar characteristics of child migrants sent to Australia; they were poor, destitute, abandoned/illegitimate children trying to survive, or in the car of public institutions
- Child migrants: apparently-abandoned, illegitimate, poverty -stricken children of primary school age, usually in care in Britain
- ‘apparently-abandoned’ because it was claimed they didn’t have parents but it turns out a lot of them did have parents who were unwilling and did not give their consent or at least informed consent for their children to be sent to Aus
- ‘youth migrants’: post primary school age, generally made their own decision to migrate [but this does not mean they were making informed decisions]
Why did England allow for child migration?
o Social tension, burgeoning urban population [in cramped environments so they got in trouble for things like petty crimes so they were sent off to be exploited as the labour force in anther country]
* ‘Push’ factors: social havoc caused by the 1866 cholera epidemic, bad harvest of 1867, economic downturn = widespread unemployment
* [Push factors encourage people to leave their points of origin and settle elsewhere
* Child migrants were used as dominions to show the uncivilised how to be civilised (this was part of the UK’s empire building)
* Humanitarian concerns: clearing the ‘teeming slums’ of Britain’s industrial cities
* Self-interest: threat of revolution
o Threat of the young people organising against this social order
True or false: there was child migration during the Depression?
False
Name one or two organisations involved in child migration?
Big Brother Movement; Children’s Farm School; Immigration Society of Western Australia (Fairbridge); Dr Barnardo’s Home’s; Overseas Children’s Scheme (operated during WWII)
Australia’s declining birth rate from 3% to 1.7% was blamed on what by the NSW Royal Commission?
Selfish women [said by T.A. Coghlan]
What did Aus want that Britain had a shortage of during 1907-14?
Farmers
How many migrants arrived in Australia between 1906-14? What percentage of those were assisted?
393,048 migrants arrived in Australia between 1906-14
o 47% assisted
o peak in 1912: 91,891 migrants
o Most people went to the cities, few went on the land/rural areas
What was the percentage of migrants in the AIF during the Great War?
22%
ANZAC legend suggests that their [soldier’s] character comes from growing up in rural Australia, but this is contradicted by the fact that so many of them were recent British migrant arrivals
How many English war brides migrated to Aus during the Great War?
- 5,626 English war brides migrate to Aust
o total is 15,386 if we include fiancées, children and brides
o Men were not immediately sent back after the war, they were in England for some months on end waiting for a boat back
How many people were interned during the Great War? (percentage of Germans and the amount of Germans that left aus)
internment of approx. 7,000 ‘enemy aliens’: people originating from Germany, Turkey or Austro-Hungarian Empire - 14% of 33,000 people of German origin in Australia were interned - Torrens Island internment camp (SA)
o 14% of 33,000 people of German origin in Australia were interned
o Approx. 5,000 German-born people voluntarily left Australia because of feelings of hostility
How did Germans respond to interment?
There was also a rush for people to naturalise into British subjects and change their names
However, Anti-German League was set up in Australia in response to this and made it an offence to anglicise your name to hide your German background
Name an Australian town that changed its name from Bismarck during the Great War.
- E.g. in WW1, towns and physical features previously known as ‘Bismarck’ were changed to:
o Weeropa (SA)
o Maclagen (Qld)
o Collins Vale (Tas)
o Mt Bismarck → Mt Kitchener (Vic) - 69 place names in SA changed [because we had the most German people]
- Some changed back after 1930s
What made Australia an attactive destination from British people to migrate too?
Higher wages
[also propaganda about fertile soil and nice climate]
Why did Britain support assisted migration? (3 reasons)
- British support for assisted migration based on 3 concerns:
1. Inability to provide for ex-servicemen
o there weren’t jobs guaranteed for them so they had to be paid benefits/pensions + Aus wanted the brave/heroic British soldiers who had triumphed in adversity
2. Extension of Empire
o British ideas and British stock were superior, therefore for the good of humanity it deserved to be exported around the world
3. Twin myths of urban degeneration and rural revitalisation
o Concerns of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in Britain which had stripped the country of athletic and hard-working people and dumped them into smoke field cities and factory jobs, with on-going poverty therefore preventing the denigration of the British stock - 35,000 ex-servicemen, wives and children emigrate to Australian under scheme
- They received assisted passagers(?) to help set up which was mostly paid by Aus but also Britain
Why were child migrants ideal for Australia?
- children and youth made attractive migrants: malleable personalities and identities
- It was believed these boys were the perfect fit for Aus because they were accustomed to having to live by their wits and having cunning, these would be useful attributes to help them survive in Aus
What percentage of assisted passages were for children?
children and juveniles schemes accounted for 10% of assisted migrants who came to Aust in 1920s - 14,000 boys and 2,000 girls came between 1922-27
* SA scheme: the ‘Barwell Boys’ (1922-24) – 1,444 boys aged 15-18 years
What was the Empire Settlement Act (1922)
- The act meant that Britain provides financial support to export its own people; 1st time since 1870
- Britain subsidised the cost of the passage for the migrants and provided to Aus government access to capital in the form of low interest loans
- assisted passages; provision of low cost loans to Aust state and federal govts
- Aust govts provide irrigation systems, roads and railway, grain depot, upgrade ports, factories etc. for where the farmers were going to go
- In total, Britain provides £34 million in low-cost loans to Australian state govt initiatives aimed at supporting migrants
What was the cost of coming to Australia under the Empire settlement act?
- The cost to come to Aus was £33, but this was reduced by £11 if you were approved to come under the Empire Settlement Act; children free; teenagers half price
- Italians also qualified for assistance under this scheme somehow? Mostly when to QLD and WA
