Australia’s Federation

1. Australia’s Federation By Summer

2. Why and how did Australia become a nation? Why: - Australia decided to become a nation because each state had its own defence force, each too small to protect the coastline of Australia, so if Australia federated then the defence force would be larger and stronger to protect Australia. • There were steep taxes placed on transporting goods across the states, Federation would allow free trade between the states. • All of the railway lines were designed differently, so every state had its own lines which meant a train could not travel across a border to get to another state. People believed that if Australia Federated then all of the railway lines would be the same.

3. Why and how did Australia become a nation? How: • The British Parliament passed a legislation to allow the Australian colonies to govern themselves. Australia's commonwealth was established with a written constitution and ‘monarchy’ because the head of state was Queen Victoria.

4. How did Australian society change during this period of time? (1890-1915) -People: 1890: The population was still mostly of British origin. The 1901 census found that a population of 3.7 million people, 35% lived in the capital cities and 21% lived in country towns. 1915: From 1903 and 1914, the population increased by about 1 million. This was because there was a decline in the death rate because of public hygiene improved and the immigration intake. The immigrates were from mostly China and Ireland. -Housing: 1890: 1915: -Employment: 1890: The main industries were wool, sugar and mining. 1915: Wheat farming became a popular job due to the increased use of chemical fertiliser. Newcastle BHP Steel Works was established in 1915.

5. How did Australian society change during this time period? (1890-1915) -Transport: 1890: The cities transport was mainly steam trains and trams. There were steam, cable and horse-drawn trams. When electric power was introduced, electric trams became more common. 1915: The motor car was introduced to Australia in the early 1900s. -Education: 1890: By 1890 most children were receiving an education. Catholic churches set up the first schools in the colonies and they were financially assisted by the colonial governments. But government schools were gradually being established, and the church schools continued to be subsidised. 1915: Gradually second state schools were established. Technical schools and universities were also set up. In WA technical schools began in 1900, and the University of Western Australia was opened in 1913.

6. Who were the people who came to Australia? Most immigrants were the convicts who were sent to Australia, British, Irish and other British colonies. And there were people who were paid to settle in Australia; they were the ‘free settlers’.

7. Sir Henry Parkes Born: 27 May 1815 Died: 27 April 1896 (aged 80) Early Life: Parkes was born in Canley (now a suburb of Coventry) in Warwickshire, England. He received little schooling and at a young age he was working on a rope-walk for four pence a day. Next he worked in a brickyard. He was then apprenticed to John Holding, a bone and ivory turner at Birmingham, and about the year 1832 joined the Birmingham Political Union.

8. Sir Henry Parkes Campaign for Self-Government: Parkes started to take an interest in the public proceedings of the colony and the stoppage of convict transportation. Self-government was also important to him, the first step towards this happening was in 1843 when an enlarged legislative council was sworn in, made up of partly elected members and partly of nominated members, and the power of the governor were much restricted as a consequence. The next big thing was the land-laws, and the struggle to make them fairer would last for many years. Parkes started writing for the Atlas and the People’s Advocate; but it wasn’t until 1848 that he began to speak in public about important community issues. In 1849 Parkes made his first political speech. Parkes thought his performance weak. Because of the petition, the qualification to vote was reduced to £10 household and £100 freehold. During December 1849, Parkes founded the Empire newspaper. At first it was only published weekly, but soon became daily. In his paper, he fought against constitutional reform and spoke against the views of the leading politition.

9. Sir Henry Parkes Fifth Premiership and Federation: Parkes formed his fifth administration, which began in March in 1889 and ended in October 1891. In 1863 Parkes had said: "I think the time has arrived when these colonies should be united by some federal bond of connexion." In October 1889 a report on the defences of Australia suggested of the federation of the forces of all the Australian colonies and a uniform gauge for railways. Parkes had come to the decision that the time had come for a new federal movement. He now felt more confidence in the movement and on 15 October 1889 telegraphed to the premiers of the other colonies suggesting a conference. At the convention on 2 March 1891 Parkes was appointed president. The next business was the debating of a series of resolutions proposed by Parkes. It was at this convention that the first draft of a bill to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia was framed. Parkes proposed the name of Commonwealth of Australia for the new nation.

10. bibliography • Wikipedia • Australia.com.au • http://pearson.com.au • http://australia.gov.au • http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au