Australia History Responses: Colonialism, Federation, and Society

This assignment presents responses to various historical events and themes in Australian history. It begins by exploring the impact of the discovery of gold in the 1850s on the democratization of colonial Victoria, including the influx of fortune seekers, the rise of parliamentary democracy, and the impact of the Eureka uprising. The assignment then examines the end of the White Australia Policy and the shift towards multiculturalism in the postwar era. It also delves into the Uluru Statement from the Heart, highlighting the perspectives of Indigenous Australians and their call for greater representation and recognition. Furthermore, the responses discuss the role of schools in promoting gender equity and the projected future of Australia's population, including the influence of immigration and economic factors. Finally, the assignment explores Australia's relationship with China and the United States, emphasizing the country's need to balance its interests, alliances, and partnerships with both nations to ensure prosperity and security.

Responses 1
RESPONSES
By (Student’s Name)
Professor’s Name
College
Course
Date

Responses 2
RESPONSES
Week 1: Response
The discovery of gold in the year the 1850s helps the country democratize colonial
Victoria in many ways. First of all, the discovery of gold indeed drew a large number of fortune
seekers from different parts of the world. Also, it brought in a sudden bounty of human and
economic capital to the country, which in turn stimulated democratic struggles. Also, gold
miners in Victoria sped up the establishment of parliamentary democracy in the region. The
miners' activities bodies, for example, the Ballarat Reform League and Bendigo's anti-gold
License Association, stimulated the formation of parliamentary democracy in Victoria. Miners'
protests and meetings initiated massive changes. The Eureka uprising led to the changing of laws
in Victoria. For instance, laws were changed so that miners, as well as other ordinary working
individuals, could vote in elections and also become Politicians. In short, the discovery of gold
reshaped Victoria, its politics, and the society at large.
Week 2: Response
The Postwar era allowed for the formation of post-war programs of immigration that
made it easier for Australia to abandon WAP (White Australia Policy). It also led to the
establishment of the migration Act 1966, which recognized legal equality between European,
British as well as non-European migrants to Australia. The changes to the policy of immigration
were some of the crucial steps toward the establishment of multicultural Australia. The new
legislation established during the postwar era allowed all potential migrants to have the same
restrictions and rules on Visas. The new law also allowed all potential migrants to become
citizens of Australia. The government of Holt stimulated the creation of the new act as a way of
encouraging good relationships between Austria and neighboring countries. Therefore, it is true

Responses 3
that the White Australia Policy came to an end due to the Implementation of a series of
amendments that prevented the enforcement of racial segregation in Australia.
Week3: Response
Uluru statement from the heart indicates that in Australia, some groups of people such as
indigenous people are not well presented by the government. For instance, the Australia
government does not fully meet the distinct interests and rights of the indigenous people. This is
why the statement called for a stronger voice, more so in political decisions that could represent
all people equally. Also, Uluru statement gives reasons why the country should abolish the
symbolic acknowledgment of first nations in the constitution of the commonwealth. The
statement also indicates that the new constitution of Australia does not favor indigenous
Australians. For instance, we found that the government fails to acknowledge that the indigenous
people are the true beneficiaries of colonialism. Therefore, from the statement, we can easily say
that there is inequality of development in Australia.
Week6: Response
Schools indeed have an essential role in offering an environment in which all kids, both
girls, and boys can participate in learning. Both informal and formal curriculums are very
important in the creation of gender identity. Therefore, much attention should be given to the
formal curriculum since the female almost becomes invisible within. Also, in Australia schools,
there is a bias representation of females. So, response to the needs for gender equity requires a
change to be done in the system of education to include both boys and girls.
Schools are one of the essential places that allow teachers to engage with learners to
actively draw on practices and ideas from their social background to help them see the robust
understanding as well as practices that can lead to gender disparity. It is also true that the

Responses 4
interaction between boys and girls in schools can enable them to learn the importance of equality
in the role play by both males and females.
Week 7: Response
Based on the present trends, Australia's future is expected to consist of a significantly
more extensive and diverse population. From the discussion, we found out that most of the
people in Australia enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. The country also
has universal health care, as well as a robust social safety net, and all these, indicate that most
people shall continue to live in comfort. Although factors such as inequality in income, drought,
and bush fire may affect the living standard of people, the population of Australia will continue
to increase. Many researchers argue that under Australia's higher range of migration, fertility, as
well as mortality, the population of the country would reach thirty-five million five years to
come. It is also true that Immigration shall continue to be one of the significant contributors to
growth. Net immigration shall contribute to over half of the growth of population in the future.
Also, the foreign citizens are projected to encounter almost double the rate of growth compared
to the citizens of Australia over this time.
Week8: Response
It is true that Australia, as a country, does not have to select between China and the
United States. To me, Australia can prevent such a choice to enable the country to rely on China
to make the country prosperous. On the other hand, depending on the United States will keep the
country safe. In practice, over the past years, the exports of Australia to China have grown, and
the country has indicated its need for more other regional economic integration more so with
China by initiating relevant trade agreements. Many Chinese analysts argue that the United
States is still exceptionally much needed and wanted by regional nations, including Australia.

Responses 5
The United States still has the motive and means to exert some influence over the conduct of
China via the global system in which the United States plays a critical role. Therefore, for
Australia to balance its interests, alliances, history aspirations, and partnerships, it has to court
with the two countries (China and the United States). But as the years elapse, Australia will have
more and more essential choices about when to court China and when to remain on the sidelines.