Australian History Exam Semester 1 2025

History

Push Factors

Factors that convince people to leave old residences.

What are some push factors for Chinese immigrants

Civil wars, famine, political instability and severe unemployment.

Pull Factors

Factors that convince people to move to a new location.

What are some pull factors for Chinese immigrants

Gold, a better education system, cleanliness, a good healthcare system and more freedoms (speech, religion, rights to protest etc.)

Challenges faced by Chinese miners on their journey to the goldfields

They were often misled by white people, their gold was often forcibly snatched, they also had trouble keeping their large group together, they were in a foreign unwelcoming country and suffered racism every day because of their different appearance (xenophobia)

The reasons for anti-Chinese sentiment developing on the goldfields

The Chinese were a lot more organised than the Europeans in their groups where people would work and others would clean. They also had the unique method of digging the other group's tailings to find gold and this was very effective.

The reasons why Chinese miners stayed in Victoria after the goldrush

Many people became prosperous and started businesses in Australia, many people got married to white people, many of them started local Chinese gardens too and found a community and friends, with a desire of a new life.

The four main reasons for Federation

1. Trade and Travel
2. Nationalism
3. Defence
4. Immigration

How could federation help trade and travel?

1. The width of the gauge (railway tack) was different in all colonies
2. Officials searched luggage every time they would change colonies
3. Colonies charged tariffs (taxes) on trade, making travel expensive
4. Federation would make it easy to travel and strengthen the economy

How could federation help nationalism?

1. Australia would be identified as one nation and not colonies
2. 3/4 of people were born in Australia
3. Sporting teams represented Australia
4. United country means united identity of people

How could federation help defence?

1. Each colony had a small military
2. People were vulnerable to attack from larger populations
3. They would have one big united defence force

How could federation help immigration?

In the late 19th century many people did not support immigration from non-British countries.There was a concern 'cheap' non-white labour would compete with colonists for jobs, leading to lower wages and a lower standard of living. These anxieties stemmed partly from anti-Chinese sentiment dating back to the gold-fields of the 1850s. They also reflected resentment towards Pacific Islanders who worked in Queensland's sugar industry.Colonies also had different rules about who could enter their colony (e.g. 10 pound tax applied in Victoria but not in other colonies).It was felt a national government would be in a better position than the colonies to control immigration

Key features of the Immigration Restriction Act (1901).

Restricted the migration of non British people to Australia and one of the key parts of this was the Dictation Test

Dictation Test

The most famous feature was the dictation test, which let Immigration Officials demand a test in any European language. The language didn't have to be English or the person's first language.The Jewish communist Egon Kirsh (who spoke English, German and a number of other languages) was denied entry because he couldn't understand Scottish Gaelic.Not everyone had to take the test. Immigration officials selected who they wanted. If you didn't pass the test you would not be let in.

Populate or Perish

A scheme that brought in people that looked white enough from Greece and Italy and eventually 'non-whites' at the wake of WW2

Why was Populate or Perish introduced

Australia needed more people for security reasons, to build infrastructure and become 'modern Australia', to built the economy and generally increase the population, they also needed people for the Snowy Hydro Scheme.

Groups that migrated under Populate of Perish?

Australia established migration agreements with various European countries, including the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Greece, and others.

How this scheme contributed to multiculturalism in Australia?

This was a key aspect that began immigration from other countries and over-time, this led to looser restrictions, welcoming Asian countries. This led to multicultural Australia, with a variety of people from different cultures.

Negative living and working conditions on the Snowy Hydro Scheme

The job was physically demanding and often dangerous, the tunnels were isolated which made it harder to find help. There were also language barriers with the migrants and there was a minimum pay. Immigrants came for a 2 year contract and weren't allowed to leave and they were in an alien world.

Positive living and working conditions on the Snowy Hydro Scheme

They could escape their war-torn countries, they could make friends with people from other cultures, they had food, water, shelter and money.

Snowy Hydro Scheme

More than 100,000 people came from over 30 countries to build a hydro-generator and provided electricity

Political 1- Displaced Person Scheme

After WWII, Australia took in fair skinned refugees from the Baltic region to work for 2 years.

Political 2- 1956 Migration Policy

People that married a white person in Australia would immediately be given Australian Citizenship.

Political 3- Racial Discrimination Act 1975

Made illegal any different treatment that disadvantages a person or group on the basis of race, identity or ethnicity.

Cultural 1- Food

Food changed dramatically with a huge amount of flavour added. People bought different vegetables and cuisines like:
-Thai
-Indian
-Chinese
-Lebanese
-Mexican
-Mix

Cultural 2- IL GLOBO

Il Globo, an Italian version of these papers, is one of the longest running in Australia. Il Globo initially aimed to connect the Italian community in Australia with news from Italy and to help them navigate Australian society like voting.

Cultural 3- SBS

It aims to inform, educate, and entertain all Australians while reflecting the country's diverse society through its broadcast and digital media services.

Civil Rights

the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality that are given to each person regardless of their race or gender etc.

Land Rights

the rights of Indigenous peoples to possess land they traditionally owned and occupied

Reconciliation

Reconciliation in Australia refers to the process of strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

Day of Mourning 1938

On Jan 26th 1938, the first national protest for Aboriginal civil rights was done. Aboriginal people viewed this date as a day of mourning for the loss of their land, culture, and lives due to colonisation, this was civil rights.

Freedom Rides 1965

A bus tour to western NSW organised by students from Sydney University to highlight segregation and discrimination of Indigenous Australians in rural areas. This was civil rights.

Aboriginal Tent Embassy

It challenged the treatment and compensation given to the Aboriginal people and believes that the government needs to do more for them with clear goals for land rights.

Mabo Decision

The High Court of Australia decided that Australia WAS NOT Terra Nullius and that that the Torres Strait Islands had been continually inhabited by the Meriam people.

1997 Bringing them Home Report

It was set up to come up with propositions to help the Stolen Generations, who endured the most grief and trauma, this was reconciliation.

2008 Kevin Rudd Apology

This apology was made to recognise the mistreatment of the Aboriginal people and move on together to a new page in Australia's history.