Vocab Words Flashcards
Terra nullius
“No man’s land”, meaning the land had no recognised owner. Used by the British to describe Australia, even though they knew of the aboriginal people.
Piece rate
A method of payment where the worker is paid per item they produce. Many unskilled workers were paid by piece rate, which meant that they would often struggle to get enough money to survive in times where their product was of low demand.
Working man’s paradise
A phrase used to describe Australia during the mid 1800’s. To skilled workers, Australia was a paradise because the working hours were short, the pay was high and there was opportunity for social advancement.
Great Strikes
A series of strikes in Australia in the 1890’s, caused by bad working conditions and low pay. The strikes aimed to prevent non-unionised workers from entering the workplace, but they ultimately failed.
Suffrage
The right to vote. Some colonies had full male suffrage. As a result, Australia became known as a “laboratory for democracy”.
First Nations
Native groups that first inhabited the major areas of Australia and the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans. This includes aboriginals, Native American “Indians”, Aztecs, Mayans, etc.
Dispossession
This means the loss of land without prior agreement or compensation. It refers to the aboriginal people being dispossessed of their land upon the arrival of the British.
Oral history
History, information and stories that has been passed along through the retelling of experiences. Most of aboriginal knowledge was passed down through oral retellings.
Constitution
A statement or document that outlines the rules and laws by which a country will be governed. Australia’s constitution was created on the 1st of January, 1901.
Enlistment
The process of joining the armed forces. Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander People where not allowed to enlist themselves in the army during the early 20th century.
Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902
An act of parliament created in 1902 stating that Indigenous people from Australia, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands were not allowed to vote in federal elections.
Royal commission
A formal government enquiry into an issue. Alfred Wernam Canning faces a Royal Commission into his treatment of Aboriginal people during his expedition to survey the Canning Stock Route.
Chinese diaspora
This means Chinese dispersion. It describes the migration of roughly 7 million Chinese people from China to countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia, and the south-east Asia region, in search of opportunities.
Coolies
An unskilled Chinese labourer. Coolies were indentured, bound to their employer for a certain period of time. They could not resign even if the. Working conditions and the pay was bad (which it usually was).
Secret societies
Chinese organisations established to protect its members and make sure they live by a certain code of conduct. Their main goals were to maintain order within Chinese camps and to avoid trouble with European miners and authorities.
Blackbirding
The process of tricking Pacific Islander people into coming to Australia, so that they would be forced to work for low pay. Blackbirding was usually done by making false promises of high wages or by offering small items of little worth.
