Postwar Immigration Policies and Population Growth
- After 1945, both Australia and New Zealand launched large-scale immigration programs to boost economic growth, address labor shortages and strengthen national security.
- Governments encouraged migration to rebuild postwar economies and expand skilled labor.
- Australia’s Populate or Perish campaign illustrated the urgency placed on population growth.
- Assisted passage schemes targeted European migrants, especially from Britain and Southern Europe.
- New Zealand also relied heavily on British migration but gradually expanded intake from the Pacific Islands.
- Migration dramatically increased urbanization, labor force participation and industrial development.
Case study
Australia’s Assisted Passage Migration Scheme (1945–1972)
Origins and Goals
- Launched to attract workers for postwar reconstruction and manufacturing expansion.
- Offered subsidized travel for British citizens to encourage settlement.
- Targeted skilled laborers, families and young workers to support long-term growth.
- Reflected Australia’s desire to maintain cultural ties with Britain.
- Provided rapid population increase in a short time.
Impact and Outcomes
- More than one million British migrants settled in Australia under the scheme.
- Helped develop key sectors such as construction, transportation and mining.
- Created new suburbs and urban centers due to population demand.
- Increased cultural exchange and changed social demographics.
- Set the foundation for later non-European migration once restrictions eased.
Definition
Assisted passage
Government-supported travel to attract immigrants.
Definition
Populate or Perish
Australian slogan promoting immigration for national survival.
End of Racial Exclusion and Shift to Multicultural Policies
- From the 1960s onward, both nations dismantled racially discriminatory policies and adopted multiculturalism as an official framework for social integration.
- The White Australia policy ended gradually between 1949 and 1973, opening doors to Asian immigrants.
- New Zealand recognized the need for labor and expanded migration from Polynesia and Asia.
- New legal reforms prioritized skills, family reunification and humanitarian intake.
- Multiculturalism replaced assimilation, supporting cultural diversity and language rights.
- Schools, media and community programs promoted inclusion and intercultural understanding.
Case study
Dismantling of the White Australia Policy (1949–1973)
Reasons for Policy Change
- Economic demand for skilled labor exceeded supply from Europe.
- Global movements for racial equality made exclusion policies unacceptable.
- Decolonization shifted diplomatic priorities toward Asia and the Pacific.
- Social activists and migrant communities pushed for equal rights.
- Cultural diversity increased through postwar migration, reducing support for racial restrictions.
Long-Term Significance
- Immigration expanded to Asian and Middle Eastern communities, transforming urban life.
- Official multiculturalism was adopted in 1973, protecting cultural and linguistic expression.
- Trade and diplomatic ties strengthened with Asian countries.
- Cultural diversity became a key part of national identity.
- Policies set the framework for refugee intake and humanitarian programs.
Definition
Assimilation policy
Expectation that migrants adopt the dominant culture.
Definition
Multiculturalism
- A policy encouraging respect and inclusion of diverse cultural backgrounds within a single nation.
Social, Economic and Cultural Impact of Immigration
- Immigration reshaped national identity, labor markets and cultural life, making Australia and New Zealand more globally connected and diverse.
- Migrants fueled economic growth in manufacturing, agriculture and services.
- New cultural communities enriched national life through traditions, languages and religions.
- Pacific Islanders became central to New Zealand’s workforce and cultural identity.
- New immigrants helped develop vibrant food cultures, arts, festivals and media.
- Indigenous activism intersected with multicultural debates, reshaping social policy.
Common Mistake
- Treating multiculturalism as identical in both countries instead of recognizing different migration patterns and political contexts.
- Ignoring the role of Pacific Islanders in shaping New Zealand’s cultural identity.
- Overlooking the importance of the end of racial exclusion as a turning point in immigration policy.
Exam technique
- Use the three case studies as core evidence to demonstrate shifts in policy and identity.
- Compare how immigration reshaped society differently in Australia and New Zealand.
- Link immigration to broader changes in foreign policy and economic development.
Theory of Knowledge
- How does cultural diversity influence national identity and historical narratives?
- Can a multicultural society maintain social cohesion while embracing differences?
- How do personal biases affect interpretations of immigration’s impact?
Self review
- Assess the impact of postwar immigration on Australia or New Zealand.
- Examine the reasons for the shift from assimilation to multiculturalism.
- To what extent did immigration reshape national identity in Oceania after 1945?
