Australia as a Nation

 

The Road to Federation

 

Before 1901, Australia was not a nation. At that time, the continent consisted of six

British colonies which were partly self-governing, but subject to the law-making power

of the British Parliament. Each colony had its own government and laws, including its

own railway system, postage stamps and tariffs (taxes). This caused a lot of problems

and people began to think about the benefits of uniting as one nation, under a federal

system of governance.

 

Activity 1 - The Road to Federation

Website - http://www.peo.gov.au/multimedia/videos/snapshots-federation.html

Watch the video.

Part way through the video is a map showing the six separate colonies. On the map

provided divide Australia into the six colonies. Around the outside of your map record

dot points about how the six colonies were like six separate countries. Inside the map

record the areas that people thought a national government should look after.

 

Website - http://www.peo.gov.au/learning/closer-look/federation-cl.html

Read the information explaining the main reasons why Australia became a Federation.

Divide your page into 4 sections and record key phrases for each section.

Write a summary for one section.

 

Activity 2 - Who is Sir Henry Parkes?

Website - http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/parkes,34825.html

1. Henry Parkes is often called/referred to, as?

2. When and where was he born?

3. In which Australian state was he Premier fives times?

 

Website - http://timeline.peo.gov.au/

On the timeline find the Tenterfield Oration. (A speech given by Henry Parkes.)

4. Why is the Tenterfield Oration considered to be important?

5. List some of the reasons Sir Henry Parkes supported Federation. Which reason do

you think was the most important? Explain.

 

Activity 3 - Who is Edmund Barton?

Website - http://www.nma.gov.au/primeministers/edmund_barton

(Read the Prime Minister and Beyond Politics paragraphs)

1. Why was Edmund Barton the first Prime Minister of Australia?

2. How long had he worked on Federation for?

3. Explain when and why Edmund Barton stopped being the Prime Minister.