1

Australia Becomes a Nation 1900 to 1914

Study the following slides carefully and answer the questions in your workbooks.

2

Universal Suffrage

• Men also had to lobby the ruling politicians to receive the right to vote

• Women eventually gain the right to vote

3

The Bulletin protests at the failure of the first Constitutional Convention in 1890 to endorse manhood suffrage.

This means that at the first meeting to discuss the new constitution (a set of rules and guidelines for the new nation) the people at the meeting disagreed on allowing all men to vote.

The Bulletin, 11 April 1891, p. 13.

4

The Thin End of the Wedge

The Bulletin supports the introduction of women's suffrage.

The Bulletin, 23 May 1891. Cover.

5

6

Maybanke Wolstoneholme and Rose Scott were among the members of the Womanhood Suffrage League of New South Wales who sent this petition to the Adelaide session of the 1897 constitutional convention.

They pointed out that only in South Australia could women vote, (granted in 1896) and asked that the new Federal constitution grant this right for Federal elections so that

'United Australia may become a true democracy resting upon the will of the whole and not of half of the people.'

7

Punch (Melbourne) is unimpressed with women's suffrage.

Punch (Melbourne),

26 July 1900, p. 83.

8

Towards Federation 1880 to 1900

Influential newspapers such as • The Weekly Herald and

Magazines such as • The Bulletin (Sydney) and • Punch (Melbourne)

All had a major influence on informing shaping people’s opinions.

• What media does this today?

9

Sketches of celebrations of the opening of the railway line connecting the New South Wales and Victorian rail system on 14 June 1883.

In Australian Sketcher, 2 July 1883.

10

11

Members of the Australian Federation Convention Sydney Supplement to the Sydney Mail, March 14, 1891

What did the delegates discuss at this convention?

12

13

The Bulletin's ironic comment on the costs of proposed Federation structures.The Bulletin, 28 November 1896, p. 15.

14

Towards This! Union is Strength

Punch (Melbourne) urges Australians to support the Federation proposals.Punch (Melbourne), 7 March 1898.

15

'If you do not understand the Bill you should vote no.'

An advertisement that appeared in the

Weekly Herald

4 June 1898

16

17

Colonial Troops

Massive street parades were held in 1900 to both welcome home soldiers who fought in the Boer War in South Africa or who were leaving to fight in the Boxer Rebellion in China.

18

Troops in the N.S.W. Marines Contingent for China to fight the Boxer Rebellion.Australian Town & Country Journal, 18 August 1900, p. 24.

19

Crowds welcome Australian troops returning from South Africa marching past Melbourne Town Hall on 4 December 1900.Illustrated London News, 19 January 1901, p. 78.

20

Cover of a Special Issue of Punch (Melbourne)

to welcome home troops from the Boer War.

Punch (Melbourne), 4 December 1900. Cover.

21

Invitation to attend the Commonwealth celebrations held in Sydney: the inauguration ceremony conducted at Centennial Park.

22

Many very important events were celebrated with great “pomp and pageantry” leading up to the Federation Celebrations in 1901.

Queen Victoria who had been the British monarch since 1837 (an amazing 65years as Queen) also died on 22nd January 1901, only 3 weeks after the huge Federation celebrations on 1st January.

Imagine the public sympathy and mourning for the longest serving British Queen in history.

These events were celebrated or commemorated by grand street parades, public displays or concerts and formal civic receptions where the mayor or dignitaries welcomed returned soldiers home.

They always made the front page of newspapers and were the “talk of the town” for weeks before and after the actual event.

23

Drafting committee for the Commonwealth Constitution, 1898 Sir John William Downer, Sir Edmund Barton and Richard O'Connor 1901.

What is a constitution?

24

Portrait of Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin 1898.

25

Cooee!Punch (Melbourne) acclaims the appointment of Lord Hopetoun as Australia's first Governor-General.Punch (Melbourne), 26 July 1900, p. 85.

26

27

• Portrait of

Sir Henry Parkes, N.S.W. Federation leader

Question

Why is Parkes remembered as the “Father of Federation”?

28

Edmund Barton 1898.

In your 10 point biography answer for slide 7, make sure you find out what position Edmund Barton held after he was elected in 1901?

29

Hon. Edmund Barton addressing open air meeting in Martin Place, Sydney, 1901.

From the book "Souvenir of the inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth"

30

Advance Australia, coat of Arms. 1901.

What symbolic items can you identify on the coat of arms?

31

32

Inaugural Procession Sydney Arches.

• Arches in Sydney for the Inaugural Celebrations: Commonwealth, Wool, & Wheat Arches.

33

Inaugural Procession, Commonwealth Arch

Australian Town & Country Journal, 19 January 1901, p. 28.

The Illustrated London News also published photos of the arches erected in Sydney to celebrate Federation.

34

Governor-General & Staff in full military dress

• See how elaborate the soldiers uniforms were. This “military dress” was worn to special ceremonies.

35

The Royal Comet

Punch [Melbourne] hails the arrival of the Duke of York in Australia to open the first Federal Parliament.

Punch (Melbourne), 9 May 1901, p. 537.

36

Portraits of Lord & Lady Hopetoun 

Portraits of the Governor-General and his wife.Australian Town & Country Journal, Commonwealth Number, 5 January 1901, after p. 20.

What role does the Governor General have?

37

State Banquet at Sydney Town Hall for the Inaugural Celebrations.

38

Public Schools display for the Inaugural Celebrations. Sydney Cricket Ground, 3 January 1901.Sydney Mail, 12 January 1901, p. 93.

39

The Sydney Mail Welcomes Federation.

Front page of coverage.Sydney Mail, 5 January 1901, p. 23.  Using evidence from slides 17, 18 and 19 explain why there so much “pomp and ceremony” surrounding Federation in 1901?

Copyright © Monash University, all rights

reserved.

40

The Debutante – 1901

The Arena introduces the new Commonwealth.

The Arena,

29 December 1900, p.10. 

41

The First Federal Australian Team

Table Talk welcomes the new Commonwealth.

Table Talk, 3 January 1901. Cover. 

42

Cradle-Song of the Commonwealth

The Bulletin comments on the costs to the public purse of the Federation celebrations.

The Bulletin, 1 December 1900, p. 16.

43

The Bulletin's satirical comment on the dawn of the new Federal Commonwealth.

The Bulletin, 5 January 1901, p. 17.

44

Queen Victoria

Born 24th May 1819

died January 22nd 1901

aged 81

British Monarch

Became Queen at age 18 in 1837 Ruled to her death in 1901

An amazing 65 years as Queen

Australian Town & Country Journal, Commonwealth Number,

5 January 1901, p. 21.

45

Front page news of

Queen Victoria’s death

reached Australia

3 weeks after the

celebrations of

Federation were

over.

46NSW Crowds in mourning for Queen Victoria, Sydney.Australian Town & Country Journal, 9 February 1901, p. 23.

47

Portrait of Queen Victoria:

In Memoriam.

Australian Town & Country Journal,

2 February 1901. Cover.

This special edition newspaper was printed so “loyal subjects” could keep a memento of the longest serving British monarch.

48

Proclamation (a public announcement) of the new King Edward VII in Melbourne.

This was Queen Victoria’s second child and oldest son.

Australian Town & Country Journal, 9 February 1901, p. 39.

Why do you think this announcement was such a major event?

49

T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of York who

come to Australia to open the First Commonwealth

Parliament. From the book

"Souvenir of the inauguration of the Australian

Commonwealth" 1901.

How did the majority of Australians regard the British Royal family in

1901? Do you think this has

changed?

50

Making Her Bow

The Arena welcomes the new Commonwealth Parliament

The Arena, 11 May 1901. Cover. 

51

Crowning the young Queen!

Table Talk celebrates the opening of Federal Parliament

Table Talk, 9 May 1901. Cover.

52

The Birth of the Commonwealth

Punch Annual welcomes the new Commonwealth

Punch Annual for 1901. Cover.

53

An Ingenious Geographical CartoonPunch welcomes 'The Federal Lion' -- Greater Britain rising from the sea. The Leader, 27 April 1901, p. 36. What comment does this political cartoon make about federation?

54

55

One of the Melbourne entries in the national flag design competition, J Meyer's combination of the Southern Cross, six stars for the six states, and 'The Divine Emblem'.

56

Everyday Life in Australia

• Transport

• Shopping

• Cities

• Games

• Work

57

George Shaw 1860-1900. Portrait of Annie Bartram (1865-1914), taken circa. 1880s

Describe the clothing and transport you see in this photograph?

What does it tell us about life in Australia in 1900?

58

Why would this “contraption” be seen as revolutionary in 1899?

1899 Locomobile Steamer 2 horse-power motor Date of creation: circa 1899 to circa 1904. Algernon Darge 1881-1941 photographer.

59

1901 No 37 locomotive, Toronto 26/10/1901

Location: Toronto Topic: Transport by rail - No 37 locomotive.

How important were steam trains to Australia in 1901?

60

Board game Around the Commonwealth by aeroplane, c.1911.

South Australia administered the Northern Territory until 1911 when it was transferred to Commonwealth control.

61

A typical 19th Century corner store.

How does this differ to a modern supermarket?

62A typical 19th Century city street scene. List 3 major

differences to what you would expect to see in Sydney today.

63

A typical 1900 Australian “tea party” as they were called

64

1900 Card Game – a common and popular Australian pastime

65

Typical photo of rural farm work in 1900.

Describe what type of work this is?

What do you notice about the women’s role?

How has this type of work changed?

66

Bubonic Plague in Sydney, 1900.

Source: Sydney Mail, 7 April 1900, pp. 813-814

67

New Telephone Switchboard Note the number of female switchboard operators supervised by men.Source: Sydney Mail, 7 April 1900, p. 817

68

Treatment of indigenous people and Immigrants from 1900 to 1914

• White Australia Policy

• Immigration Restriction Act

• Aboriginal Rights

69

Immigration Restriction Act

Passed as a law in 1901

The front cover states

“An Act To place certain restrictions on Immigration and to provide for the removal from the Commonwealth of prohibited immigrants.”

70

• Significance• This document put in place the

law that was the cornerstone of Australia's 'White Australia' policy.

• The Governor-General signed the document two days before Christmas Day 1901, a week after he had signed the Pacific Islander Labourers Act into law.

Together with Section 15 of the 1901 Post and Telegraph Act these formed a powerful set of legal instruments shaping immigration policy at the foundation of the Commonwealth.

• They continued to guide thinking on immigration for half a century.

71

Australian Christmas party of the future.

72

Punch (Melbourne) includes Aborigines in its "Absences".

Punch (Melbourne), 3 January 1901, p. 8.

73

Racist ad for Velvet Soap playing on White Australia policy."The Royal Visit to Australia", Special issue of Punch (Melbourne), May 1901, p. 1.

74

This era in Australian history was not only important because it established Australia as a new nation through Federation, but it started this nation on the long path towards creating and developing an identity that is still emerging and growing today.

Discussion questions.

a) What does it mean to be Australian now ?

b) How is this different to being an Australian in 1901?

c) What do you think it will mean to be an Australian by the time you reach the age of 40?