Growth of National Identity
- Colonial Unity through Adversity
- By the late 19th century, shared experiences i.e. gold rushes, droughts, and wars. This created a distinct settler identity separate from Britain.
- Cultural Nationalism
- Writers, poets, and painters (e.g., Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, and the Heidelberg School) celebrated the “bush ethos” (equality, toughness, and independence.)
- Sport and Symbolism
- Cricket and rugby victories against Britain fueled pride in colonial achievement.
- The Role of Education
- Schools promoted civic loyalty and patriotism, emphasizing the “new Australian” or “New Zealander.”
- Shift in Imperial Attitude
- Colonists increasingly saw themselves as partners in empire, not subordinates.
Definition
Bush Ethos
- Ideal of rural simplicity, hard work, and community spirit as national virtues.
Definition
Cultural Nationalism
- Movement expressing pride in local culture, distinct from colonial Britain.
The Federation Movement in Australia
- Divided Colonies
- By the 1880s, six self-governing colonies had separate laws, railways, tariffs, and defense systems.
- Push for Unity
- Calls grew for economic cooperation, national defense, and a stronger Australian identity.
- Key Figures
- Sir Henry Parkes (“Father of Federation”) urged unity in his Tenterfield Oration (1889).
- Conventions and Drafting
- National Australasian Conventions (1891, 1897–1898) drafted the Australian Constitution, modeled on both British parliamentary and U.S. federal systems.
- Referenda and Ratification
- Public votes between 1898 and 1900 approved the Constitution, leading to the Commonwealth of Australia Act (1900).
Definition
National Australasian Conventions
- Meetings of colonial delegates to draft a federal constitution.
Definition
Tenterfield Oration (1889
- Speech by Henry Parkes calling for a federal union of the colonies.
Case study
The Australian Federation (1901)
Causes and Developments
- Economic Cooperation
- Desire to end intercolonial tariffs and unify trade.
- Defense Concerns
- Fear of foreign powers (e.g., Russia, France) encouraged unified defense.
- Nationalism
- Growth of a shared “Australian spirit” among settlers born in the colonies.
- Leadership
- Politicians like Henry Parkes, Edmund Barton, and Alfred Deakin led campaigns for unity.
- British Support
- The British government endorsed federation as part of imperial reform.
Consequences and Legacy
- Commonwealth Established (1901)
- Australia became a federation of six states under a federal constitution.
- Dominion Status
- Achieved self-government in domestic affairs but remained loyal to the Crown.
- White Australia Policy
- Immigration restriction became a cornerstone of early national policy.
- Political Stability
- Established bicameral federal parliament and legal independence from colonial rule.
- Symbolism
- Federation marked the birth of modern Australian nationhood within the empire.
Definition
Dominion
- Semi-independent colony within the British Empire (e.g., Australia 1901, New Zealand 1907).
Definition
Edmund Barton
- Australia’s first Prime Minister and key figure in drafting the Constitution.
New Zealand’s Path to Dominion Status
- Separation from Australia
- New Zealand declined to join Federation due to distance, strong national identity, and Māori representation issues.
- Progressive Reforms
- By the 1890s, New Zealand was known as the “social laboratory of the world," pioneering women’s suffrage (1893), land reform, and labor rights.
- Political Independence
- New Zealand became a self-governing colony (1852), then granted Dominion status (1907).
- Imperial Connection
- Maintained strong ties to Britain. Participated in imperial wars (e.g., Boer War, 1899–1902).
- National Identity
- Pride in reform and fairness fostered the idea of New Zealand as a moral nation within the Empire.
Definition
Women’s Suffrage (1893)
- New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote.
Definition
Social laboratory
- Nickname reflecting New Zealand’s early adoption of progressive reforms.
Common Mistake
- Assuming Australia and New Zealand followed identical paths: New Zealand emphasized social reform, while Australia prioritized federation and unity.
- Overlooking Indigenous Exclusion: Both dominions excluded indigenous voices from constitutional processes.
- Confusing Dominion Status with Independence: Both remained part of the British Empire under the Crown until the 20th century.
Exam technique
- Compare Progression: Show how Australia (federation) and New Zealand (reform) represent two versions of self-government.
- Include Key Dates and Laws: Tenterfield Oration (1889), Federation (1901), NZ Dominion Status (1907).
- Link to Identity: Discuss how political reform fueled national consciousness and pride.
Self review
- Examine the main reasons for the movement toward federation in Australia.
- Assess the significance of constitutional developments in shaping national identity in Australia and New Zealand.
- To what extent did British imperial policy encourage or limit self-government in Oceania?
