Key Events in Australian Indigenous Rights and WWII History

Day of Mourning

26 January 1938 - The first national Aboriginal civil rights protest held on the 150th anniversary of British colonisation, demanding full citizenship and equal rights.

Freedom Ride

Led by Charles Perkins to expose racism against Aboriginal people in NSW; brought national attention to discrimination and helped push for Indigenous rights.

Wave Hill Strike

Led by Vincent Lingiari, Gurindji workers walked off Wave Hill cattle station protesting poor pay and treatment. It lasted 9 years and resulted in land being returned to the Gurindji people.

1967 Referendum

27 May 1967 - Allowed Indigenous Australians to be counted in the census and gave the federal government power to make laws for them.

Mabo Decision

Overturned the concept of Terra Nullius and recognised Native Title, legally acknowledging Indigenous connection to land.

Redfern Speech

Delivered by PM Paul Keating in 1992, it acknowledged the injustices done to Indigenous Australians and was a turning point in the Reconciliation process.

The Apology

On 13 February 2008, PM Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations for the laws and policies that caused grief and trauma. It was a key moment in healing and historical acceptance.

Stolen Generation

Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families under government policy. It caused long-term trauma and disconnection from culture.

Uluru Statement from the Heart

A 2017 statement from Indigenous Australians calling for constitutional recognition and a Voice to Parliament.

Reconciliation

A national effort to acknowledge past injustices and build respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Rights and Freedoms

Refers to the struggle of Indigenous Australians for equality, land rights, legal recognition, and protection from discrimination.

World War II

A global conflict from 1939 to 1945 caused by unresolved WWI tensions, expansionist ambitions, fascist regimes, and failure of appeasement.

Treaty of Versailles

Signed in 1919, it ended WWI and punished Germany with heavy reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions. The resulting resentment helped Hitler rise to power.

Harsh Treaty of Versailles

The treaty that ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Economic depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that took place during the 1930s.

Rise of fascist leaders

The emergence of authoritarian leaders like Hitler, who capitalized on economic and social unrest.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often leading to the desire for independence or dominance.

Militarism

The belief in building up strong armed forces to prepare for war.

Failure of the League of Nations

The inability of the League to prevent aggression and maintain peace, leading to World War II.

Hitler's Rise to Power

Through promises to restore Germany's pride and economy, exploiting the Great Depression, using propaganda, and legal election as Chancellor in 1933.

Final Solution

Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews in Europe through mass killings and death camps.

Holocaust

The genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime between 1941-1945.

Axis Powers

Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Allied Powers

Britain, France, the USSR, the United States, and China.

The Singapore Strategy

A British plan to defend Asia-Pacific using a naval base in Singapore, which failed in 1942 when Japan invaded from the north.

Fall of Singapore

On 15 February 1942, Singapore fell to Japan, resulting in over 15,000 Australians being captured.

Bombing of Darwin

On 19 February 1942, Japan bombed mainland Australia, killing over 230, exposing Australia's vulnerability.

Bombing of Pearl Harbour

On 7 December 1941, Japan attacked the US naval base, bringing the US into WWII.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The US dropped atomic bombs on these cities on 6 and 9 August 1945, leading to Japan's surrender.

End of WWII in Europe

8 May 1945 - Germany surrendered to Allied forces, known as Victory in Europe Day.

End of WWII in the Pacific

2 September 1945 - Japan formally surrendered after atomic bombings.

Japanese Expansionism

Motivated by belief in racial superiority, desire for natural resources and land, and need for strategic control in the Pacific.

Australia's Changing Alliances

After the fall of Singapore, Australia shifted its alliance from Britain to the United States under PM John Curtin.

Migration

Australia welcomed displaced persons and launched Assisted Migration programs to boost population and economy.

Populate or Perish

Post-WWII slogan promoting immigration to strengthen Australia's population for economic growth and defence.

Assisted Migration

A scheme to facilitate the immigration of displaced persons to Australia after WWII.

10 Pound Poms

British migrants who paid £10 for assisted passage to Australia. Part of the post-war immigration drive.

Displaced Persons

Refugees from Europe who were resettled in Australia under humanitarian programs.

Snowy Mountain Scheme

Large hydroelectric and irrigation project built by a largely migrant workforce. Symbol of multiculturalism and economic development.

Assimilation

Policy forcing migrants and Indigenous Australians to abandon their culture and adopt white Australian customs.

Colombo Plan

A program from 1950 that brought Asian students to Australia to foster regional cooperation and development.

Multiculturalism

Official policy from 1975 promoting cultural diversity and equal treatment regardless of origin.

Push-pull factors

Push: war, poverty, persecution. Pull: jobs, safety, better life, education.

Communism

A political system aiming for a classless society. Feared during the Cold War as a threat to democracy.

Cold War

Period of geopolitical tension between US and USSR post-WWII. Influenced Australia's security, foreign policy, and immigration stance.

Democracy

System where citizens vote for leaders and have freedom of speech, religion, and equality under law.

United Nations

Founded in 1945 to promote global peace, security, and human rights. Australia is a founding member.

Significant WWII Battles

Tobruk (1941), Kokoda Track (1942), Milne Bay (1942), Coral Sea (1942). These helped defend Australia and stop Japanese advance.

ANZAC Spirit in WWII

Represented bravery, mateship, and resilience. Demonstrated in battles like Tobruk and Kokoda.

Charles Perkins

Indigenous activist who led the 1965 Freedom Ride to protest racial discrimination.

Eddie Mabo

Torres Strait Islander man who led the legal fight that resulted in the 1992 Mabo Decision recognising Native Title.

Vincent Lingiari

Aboriginal elder who led the Wave Hill Strike for better working conditions and land rights.

John Curtin

Australian PM during WWII who shifted alliance from Britain to the US and led Australia through the Pacific threat.

Robert Menzies

Australian PM at the start of WWII who declared war on Germany following Britain's lead.

Paul Keating

Prime Minister who delivered the 1992 Redfern Speech acknowledging injustice against Indigenous Australians.

Kevin Rudd

Prime Minister who formally apologised to the Stolen Generations in 2008.