Aboriginals' Reaction to Seeing First White People - Assignment Example

Running head: Post Aboriginal contact worksheets Your name Course name Professors’ name Date Worksheet 1 1. (Points: 2)     1. How did Aboriginal people react to seeing their "first" white people? (Give sources where necessary) The first European settlers arrived in 1788 when Aborigines were the only once in Australia. Aborigines demonstrated surprise and resentment when they saw the first white arrival. Severally, the aborigines ignored the explorers with their tall ship but reacted when they attempted to land (Hambling, 2007). Nonetheless, Governor Phillip initiated a friendly relationship with Aborigines consequently curbing any possibility of conflict. 2. (Points: 2)     When they first saw the whites, what or who did Aborigines think they were? (Give sources where necessary) When the Aborigines first saw the whites, they regarded them as ghosts of their ancestors and were ready to deal with them peacefully. Women and children regularly hid while men brandished their spears. After a short period, the whites took possession of most of the land such that the Aborigines were left struggling to survive. Aborigines were also referred to as “noble savages” and primitive with no organized social system. This led to conflict and bloodshed. It is apparent from a Sydney morning herald (1842) that Aborigines feared the whites following a belief that they were there to deprive them all their valued possession. 3. (Points: 2)     At first contact, what Aboriginal behaviour led some Europeans to describe Aborigines as "shy" and others to describe them as "treacherous"? (Give sources where necessary) A century old letter, contained in Sydney morning herald (1842), vividly describes behaviour of the Aborigines when they were approached by the whites. In the letter, the woman and her child fled up the mountains on seeing the whites. As the whites approached them, they cried out in great fear while the woman protected the child with her body. The woman only composed herself after some minutes of reassurance. This behaviour illustrates Aboriginal shyness. Aborigines were also described as treacherous and this is evident where unarmed whites who were seeking for reconciliation were told to disappear. The black Australians were also armed with weapons even when they saw that the whites did not have any artillery. 4. (Points: 2)     At first contact, in what European things (appearance, possessions, etc.) did the Aborigines express interest, if any? (Give sources where necessary) Aborigines expressed interest in white man’s bread and clothes. In the Sydney morning herald (1842), an old man whose son, had gone to live with the whites seem to be very inquisitive. After discovering that Pundoonbam lived in a house, wore clothes and ate white man’s bread, the old man was very happy. This indicates that Aborigines were interested in white’s materials i.e. bread, clothes, and houses. 5. (Points: 2)     What did sealers in the Bass Strait and mainland Aborigines want to trade with each other? (Give sources where necessary) Contact between Tasmanian Aborigines and the Europeans came into being when British and American seal hunters made a visit to Bass Straight in addition to north and eastern cost of Tasmania. In a study by Flood (2006), Aborigines treasured hunting dogs in addition to items like flour, tea, and tobacco. The research by flood further indicates that Aborigines traded kangaroo skins for the items. Trade in Aboriginal women developed later since they were well versed with hunting seals and obtaining other foods including sea birds. During hunting season, services of aboriginal men were traded to sealers. 6. (Points: 2)     How big a part of relations between early white land explorers and Aborigines was the idea of exchange or trading (of goods and knowledge)? (Give sources where necessary) During the 1700s, relationship between the Aboriginals and the Europeans had been stabilised after numerous conflicts. The aboriginals had vast knowledge about the harsh landscape and the skills need to survive during cold winters. While aboriginals allowed access to furs and food supplies from fishing and big game hunting, the Europeans goods and technologies found their way to the aboriginals. This means that the Aboriginals accessed blankets, iron kettles, guns and its accessories (Tench, 1978). Out of the relationship between the whites and aboriginals, cultures and social aspects were merged and incorporated into trade. 7. (Points: 2)     Were relations between Aborigines and white explorers generally good? Why? (Give sources where necessary) The relationship between Aborigines and white explorers was generally good since the two parties were beneficial to each other. Aborigines had knowledge on harsh landscape while the whites supplied them with blankets, guns, and gunpowder (Reynolds, 1978). This relationship between Aboriginal and European civilization improved even further such that a new culture group called Matis emerged 8. (Points: 1)     What evidence is there that Aboriginal people knew about what to expect from contact with whites before they met them? (Give sources where necessary) Before the aborigines made contact with the Europeans, they were already using commodities that came from the whites. The Aborigines had information about the whites including the ability of guns and their susceptibility to use them. In a book edited by Martin (1978), the blacks knew about the whites before the first contact. It was apparent that the Europeans could not arrive in any district unannounced. The researcher ruled out on the possibility that what explorers and pioneers saw was the typical traditional society. Reference A Century Old Letter. (1842, 8 July). Sydney Morning Herald, p85. Flood, J. (2006). The original Australians: story of the Aboriginal people. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin. Hambling, D. (2007, February). European explorers found indigenous peoples unable to see their tall ships – or did they? Fortean Times. Retrieved 19 October, 2011, from http://www.forteantimes.com/strangedays/science/20/questioning_perceptual_ blindness.html. Lord Sydney to the Lords Commissioner of the Treasury. In C. Martin (1978) (Ed.), The Founding of Australia: The Argument about Australia's Origins (pp. 23). Sydney: Hale & Ironmonger. Reynolds, H. (1978). "Aboriginal Contact History: problems and issues.” Journal of Australian Studies, 3: p.54. Tench, W. (1971)."A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay." In M, Clark. Sources of Australian History. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, p.95. Worksheet 2 1. (Points: 2)     In order of their importance, list the causes of black-white conflict on the pastoral frontier (circa 1830s - 60s). Give reasons for your ranking. (Give sources where necessary) Reynolds (1982) identifies the first issue to be land ownership. The aborigines saw the whites to be trespassing their land thus warned them to leave. In 1830, the whites expanded their existing properties while more settlers arrived. Roads were constructed and a town at Queanbeyan was established. At the same time, white population of the Limestone Plains increased from 94 in 1828 to 510 in 1833. This means the blacks were displaced further with an increased white population and destruction of native flora and fauna due to civilization. The white settlers and their sheep, and cattle spread rapidly into Aboriginal lands. This caused conflict throughout inland Australia. Since the whites had large possessions and were reluctant to share, it went against aboriginal culture of sharing. Thirdly is the conflict over women where the whites refused to deliver their offerings even after being granted access to aboriginal women. The other cause of conflict was diseases brought by the white settles. Small pox, influenza, measles, and venereal diseases attacked the blacks given that they had not developed any immunity. 2. (Points: 2)     Overall, how widespread was violent resistance on the pastoral frontier (circa 1830s-60s)? (Give sources where necessary) Between 1830s and 1860s, resistance on pastoral frontier was widespread. In all the places that the whites went, they encountered indigenous people of that specific location (Pearson, 1984). Their strategy was to dispossess the Aboriginals of their land, which then amounted to conflict. In New South Wales, troops at the western side massacred Aboriginal population at a place called Pinjarra in a bid to secure Aboriginal land. Conflicts were also evident in Tasmania, which resulted in Aboriginals being driven away from the East Coast to a secluded place. Even though Aboriginal resistance sometimes worked, the whites were very innovative in finding new ways of driving the blacks away from the land. 3. (Points: 2)     What non-violent forms of resistance were used by Aborigines on the Frontier? (Give sources where necessary) One of the non-violent forms of resistance used by the Aboriginals was bushcraft. This is where the Aboriginals could disappear into the bush consequently barring their white pursuers from following them into the bush (Pearson, 1984). Aboriginals were well versed with the bush. 4. (Points: 2)     Which form of resistance, violent or non-violent, happened more often or lasted longer? (Give sources where necessary) Violent form of resistance happened more often and lasted. The whites used force and even massacred the blacks in an effort to dispossess them of their land. In 1830s, settlers were busy increasing number of settlers and their livestock. This resulted in conflict throughout the inland eastern Australia. One occasion of violent resistance was witnessed in Port Phillip District where Aboriginal raiding parties dislocated settlers’ animals and even took some of the herds to their own yards. Pearson (1984) asserts that fighting was intense in the present southeast and central Queensland. 5. (Points: 2)     Why did Aboriginal men join the Native Mounted Police? (Give sources where necessary) In 1800s, there was an influx in the number of colonial settlers in Australia. This led to conflicts with the locals who were determined to protect their land and livelihood. Native Mounted Police was designed to look into this impending problem and deal with colonial settlement. Native Police troop was made up of 12 Aboriginal troops who were commanded by three white officers (Whittington, 1965). They received training on manning horses and using firearms. The main role of Native Police was to pacify Aboriginal people hence played a role of paramilitary force. They were responsible for many massacres in Gladstone area, killing men, women, and children indiscriminately. Where aboriginals resisted or attacked the whites, Native Mounted Police responded promptly. 6. (Points: 2)     What sorts of agreements between Aborigines and white settlers on the frontier actually managed to avoid, decrease or cut short violent conflict? How common were they? (Give sources where necessary) A form of agreement between the whites and blacks that reduced conflict is evident in a century letter (Sydney morning herald (1842). This letter contains an address by the whites to the blacks stating that they had made war upon the blacks because whites had been killed. The letter clearly states the mission of the white settlers in Aboriginal land i.e. to get grass. In the address, the blacks were assured of their kangaroos, opossums, fish, and honey. The blacks were also promised bread and tomahawk if only they maintained peace. 7. (Points: 2)     What did Aborigines gain and lose because of these agreements? (Give sources where necessary) The agreements were beneficial to Aboriginal in the sense that they could be supplied with blankets, bread, and other white man’s goods. On the contrary, they lost their rich culture of hunting and gathering (Rowley, 1982). White man had intensified the cultivation and was busy expanding the stretch while tempering with natural Aboriginal vegetation. 8. (Points: 1)     Why did relations between black and white on the frontier seem to vary from area to area? Why were some areas more violent and others more peaceful? (E.g., is there any evidence for the view that Queensland and northern NSW Murris were fiercer fighters than those in Victoria? Was it because of different terrain? The presence of Native Police?The nature of white settlers in an area? The period involved? The level of technology?) (Give soruces where necessary) Relations between black and white on the frontier seem to vary from area to area due to reaction to invasion by the European (Woollacott, 2009). Some areas were more violent basing on population percentages and governmental interference in form of Native Mounted Police. Queensland and northern NSW Murris were fiercer fighters given their improved technology in the use of white artillery and sophisticated techniques. Reference A Century Old Letter. (1842, 8 July). Sydney Morning Herald, p85. Pearson, M. (1984). 'Bathurst plains and beyond: European colonisation and Aboriginal resistance', Aboriginal History 8 (1 / 2): pp. 63-79. Reynolds, H. (1982). The Other Side of the Frontier: Aboriginal Resistance to the European Invasion of Australia, Melbourne: Penguin. Rowley. C. D. (1982). The Other Side of the Frontier: Aboriginal Resistance to the European Invasion of Australia. Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin Whittington, A. J. (1965). The Queensland native mounted police. Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 7 3: 508-520. Woollacott, A. (2009). Frontier Violence and Settler Manhood. History Australia, 6(1): 09.1-09.15. Worksheet 3 1. (Points: 1)     What is the current range of estimates of the pre-1788 population of Australia? What is the most likely estimate? Why? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) According to Schaefer (2008), the population estimate pre-1788 is given as 315,000. Schaefer asserts that recent archaeological research show a population of 750,000 could have been sustained in Australian continent. The estimates were based on the observation that population had deteriorated due to diseases and other factors accompanying white invasion. Repression, social-cultural disruption, brutality against aboriginal people, disintegration, and dispossession contributed to population decline (Year Book Australia, 1994). 2. (Points: 2)     Rank in order of importance the following "causes" of depopulation. Give evidence. Disease; Killings by Invaders; Killings by other Aborigines; Culture Shock/Psychological Trauma; Other (Give oral and written evidence where necessary.) In the inferences made by Butlin (1983) diseases, especially the smallpox and venereal diseases were the main “cause” of depopulation. The writer further argues that direct killing by the whites was only a small part that explained the reasons of depopulation. An article by Campbell (1983) recognises tuberculosis as one of the lethal diseases, which had considerable impact on Aboriginal population. Killings by other aborigines are third on the ranks given the Native Mounted Police carried out massacre on Aboriginals who tried to resist. Lastly, invasion by the whites on black land resulted in cultural shock and psychological trauma. This is evident where civilization destroyed the natural flora and fauna leaving the Aboriginals with scanty food. Aboriginals failed to understand why the whites were not ready to share their possession when they had enough. 3. (Points: 2)     How significant was smallpox as a depopulating agent? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The literature by Campbell (1983) is very explicit on the three smallpox epidemics in Australia. According to Campbell, the first epidemic of smallpox was spotted in east coast at Port Jackson, Botany Bay, Hawkesbury, and Broken Bay. The researcher further states that the third epidemic of the smallpox occurred in northwest coast, inland and South Australia. The second one occurred when colonialist were expanding their settlement in the eastern part of Australia. The infection had the capacity to destroy the Aboriginal society. Along with diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and influenza, smallpox was a very active depopulation agent after 1788. 4. (Points: 2)     What are the main theories about how smallpox entered Australia in 1789? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) In 1789, there was a major outbreak of smallpox, which was confined to Aboriginal community. The nature and origin of the infection remained unknown. Campbell (1983) postulates that Macassan trepangers, who were looking for sea slugs, carried the virus with them on the northeast monsoon winds consequently infecting the locals. As they move across the sparsely populated territory, they spread the virus to eastern part of Queensland. The other theory suggest that smallpox epidemic was caused by mishandled bottle of “various” matter that had been sourced from England for purposes of incubation. The matter either accidentally or deliberately infected some Aboriginal people and as result spreading the epidemic. There is also a theory establishing how smallpox was introduced by the French. Nonetheless, this theory was rejected since French ships were in Botany Bay a year before the epidemic broke out. 5. (Points: 2)     What adjustments and changes did Aboriginal clans / bands / tribes / communities make to their social and territorial organization to cope with heavy population losses. (Give oral and written sources where necessary) To come in terms with heavy population losses, Aboriginal communities relocated and left their territories for the whites. In other occasions, they were forced to work for the whites to get food and other supplements (Frances, 2000). 6. (Points: 2)     Account for the increasing incidence of births and survival of mixed-race children during the early years of invasion and settlement. (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Mixed races increased during the years of invasion after an increased case of sexual harassment among the Aboriginal mothers working in reserves. The children of European fathers and aboriginal fathers were often described as destitute and were rejected from any territory (Beresford, 1998). 7. (Points: 2)     In the first generation after invasion (say, 25-50 years), what jobs did Kooris accept from white employers? Why? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) In the first generation after invasion, Kooris accepted to be employed as labourers in white farms (Lisa, 2010). They wanted to get food, shelter, and other necessities like water. 8. (Points: 1)     Is it true that Aborigines were happy to accept material, but not other, aspects of European culture? How did they adapt European artefacts to their own needs? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Aborigines were happy to accept material, but not other, aspects of European culture and this evident where they valued their bread, clothes and kettles. On the contrary, they were upset at how the whites had too much possession but were not willing to share with the blacks. They therefore hated white culture arguing that it was based on selfishness (Cultureandrecreation.gov, N.d). The blacks were very unpleased at European destruction of their flora and fauna, which sent away the kangaroos. Reference Beresford, Q., & Omaji, P. (1998). Our State of Mind. Fremantle, Western Australia: Fremantle Centre Press. Butlin, N.G. (1983). Our Original Aggression: Aboriginal Populations of Southeastern Australia 1788-1850. Sydney: George Allen & Unwin. Campbell, J. (1983). Smallpox in aboriginal Australia, 1829-31. Historical studies, 20(81): 536-556. Frances, P. L. (2000). The Community Game: Aboriginal Self-Definition at the Local Level. Canberra : Aboriginal Studies Press. Lisa, F. (2010). Settler Sovereignty: Jurisdiction and Indigenous People in America and Australia, 1788–1836. Cambridge, MA. Schaefer, R. T. (2008). Encyclopaedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc. "Sporting greats - Stories from Australia's Culture Portal.” Cultureandrecreation.gov.au. Retrieved 2011-10-22. Year Book Australia. (1994). ‘Statistics on the Indigenous Peoples of Australia’ Worksheet 4 1. (Points: 1)     In the "Protection era", what jobs were available to Aboriginal men and women? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) In a study by Heather (1996), aboriginal men and women worked in the white firm but they did not receive any wage. Aboriginal people both men and women took up the tasks of collecting barks, fishing, boating, tracking horses, cleaning stores, and several other responsibilities including washing sheep and making yeast. They were used to working in groups. Specifically, women handled domestic chores and drove domestic animals whilst men were engaged as stockmen. In 1850s, there was a reliance on Aboriginal labour following intensified gold prospects. Aboriginal employees had the reputation of skilled and trust worthy thus favoured by white employers. 2. (Points: 2)     What aspects of everyday life in Government-run Aboriginal stations and reserves were controlled by the manager and/or white staff? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) By 1897, over 1500 men and women were working in Aboriginal stations and reserves. Such location was subject to government regulations. The managers and the white staff located at the government-run Aboriginal Stations and reserves controlled aspects such as wages and allocation of duties. It is believed that the stations were initiatives by the whites to cure Aboriginal of their nomadic. The managers were therefore supposed to ensure that aborigines remained at the stations working (Frances, 2000). 3. (Points: 2)     Between the 1880s and 1960s, in which state(s) was government control of Aboriginal people greater than in others? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The States of New South Wales and states of Victoria faced excessive government control of aboriginal people (Barwick, 1972). The reason is that these states were rich agriculturally and the subsequent discovery of Gold. Cheap or even free aboriginal labour was required which then motivated the government to exercise control of the Aboriginals in the region. 4. (Points: 2)     From your reading and personal knowledge, how was kinship (family relationships) reconstructed on the stations and missions? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) It is apparent that most people were separated from the families after being forced by government to work at reserves and missions (Ramsland, 2001). Some even failed to see their families again. At the reserves and missions, new organizations were formed by virtue of belonging to the same community, aboriginals. 5. (Points: 2)     Between the 1860s and 1960s, how did music, dance and other cultural forms change during Kooris' confinement to institutional communities (missions, stations, reserves)? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The confinement of Kooris to missions, stations, and reserves ultimately changed cultural description of the people. Confinement was meant to civilize, change kooris into Christians and eventually to educate them on western values and lifestyle (Ramsland, 2001). 6. (Points: 2)     To what extent was Christianity adopted and practised in Aboriginal communities in the Protection era (about 1880s-1960s)? How far did Christian worship replace, modify, or combine with traditional practices? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Koori confinement into the institutional communities led to disappearance or rather fading away of music, dance, and other cultural forms during 1860s-1960s. The fact behind this is that the people were confined at the reserve, stations, and missions with a reason of shaping them into new beings, away from their traditional cultural orientation. The Koori were not allowed to publicly participate in dances of rather art in general as it as a binding force for the group (Miller, 1985). In a study by Eliade (1973), aboriginal children were forced to learn different Christianity virtues. The religion was spread by Christian missionaries with an intention of making the aborigines forget their cultures. Nonetheless, Aboriginal ceremonies such as smoking ceremony were considered during Papal visits. 7. (Points: 2)     How important to Aborigines were sports such as cricket, boxing, running and football, circa 1860-1960? Why? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Sporting activities comprising crickets, boxing, running and football were vital in terms of spectatorship, circa 1860-1960 (Cultureandrecreation.gov, N.d). These sports were important to the Aborigines because laughing was necessary even when being faced with danger while battling the landscape. The sporting activity brought together Aborigines people consequently giving them strength and morale to face the impending difficulties. They were able to move on despite hardships. 8. (Points: 1)     How did some communities in Victoria and New South Wales succeed in developing their economic bases? Did members of the white community encourage them? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The strong agricultural base coupled with the development of mining in broken hill in 1880s generated a new source of economic activity. Economic activities in the two regions were diversified i.e. fishing, farming, and trade (Kohen, 2000). It is also important to note that some communities in Victoria took part in the mining of gold. The effect was realization of economic development in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. The whites were very instrumental in bring about technology and different farming techniques in addition to productive breeds (Epstein, 1972). . Aboriginals in the region had been accustomed to hunting and gathering thus had minimum knowledge on cultivation. 9. (Points: 1)     Why was agricultural self-sufficiency not maintained? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Agricultural self-sufficiency was not maintained since territories were marked for the whites and blacks (Windschuttle, 2002). The whites were occupying the plains where agriculture and farming was being carried out while the blacks had been pushed to the foot of the mountains. Reference Barwick, D. (1972). “ Coranderrk and Cumeroogunga: Pioneers and Police” , in T.S Eliade, M. (1973). Australian Religions: An Introduction. Oxford University Press: London. Frances, P. L. (2000). The Community Game: Aboriginal Self-Definition at the Local Level. Canberra : Aboriginal Studies Press. Heather, Gl. (1996). Invasion to Embassy: Land in Aboriginal Politics in New South Wales, 1770-1972. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. Kohen, J. L. (2000). First and last people: Aboriginal Sydney. In J. Connell (Ed.). Sydney the emergence of a global city. pp 76-95. Oxford University Press. Miller, J. (1985). Koori: a will to win: The Heroic Resistance, Survival, and Triuph of Blck Australians. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. "Sporting greats - Stories from Australia's Culture Portal.” Cultureandrecreation.gov.au. Retrieved 2011-10-22. Ramsland, J. (2001). Custodians of the Soil. A History of Aboriginal-European Relationships in the Manning Valley of New South Wales. Taree: Greater Taree City Council. Windschuttle, K. (2002). The Fabrication of Aboriginal History, Vol. 1, Van Diemen’s Land 1803–1847. Sydney: Macleay Press. Epstein & D. H. Penny. (1972). Opportunity and Response: Case Studies in Economic Development. Sydney: A & R. Worksheet 5 1. (Points: 1)     What reasons were given by administrators for segregating Aborigines in rural society? What were the real reasons? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The reasons given by administrators for confining the aboriginals to the rural areas was to protect them. In real sense, aborigines were seen to be useful unpaid labour. Some Europeans were determined to give the Aborigines shelter and good nutrition but it was done simply because the whites needed them as labour. The strategy of protection did not assist the indigenes to control their communities and subsequently achieve autonomy (Reynolds, 1978). 2. (Points: 2)     What reasons were given by administrators for taking Aboriginal children from their parents? What were the real reasons? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) At the beginning of 1885, children were forcefully removed from their homes in Victoria and New South Wales. According to administrators, separating children from their homes was motivated by an assimilation policy. In this scenario, parents were viewed to be having a bad influence on their children. The intention was therefore to force them to fit into the culture of the whites (Read, 1983). The authorities thought that the practice of separating children from their siblings would result in nurturing good citizens. Church missions were the earliest aboriginal institutions to be established and parents were allowed to live next to the institution. Removal of these children was designed to destroy the indigenous race. 3. (Points: 2)     How did Aborigines seek to resist the stealing of children? How often were these means effective? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Aboriginal children working as servants between 1842 and 1945 were powerless (Milne, 1982). It is essential to note that it was against their will to be taken by Europeans. In resisting stealing children, parents hid them behind trees and even to an extent of painting them with mud. The other mode of resistance was passive i.e. running away from confinement. This took place when the children had already been taken and was motivated by an urge to reunite with their parents. The means of resistance were sometimes successful but often failed simply because military force was employed by the whites in collaboration with government. 4. (Points: 2)     What were the effects of the "dispersal policy" on Aboriginal communities? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The dispersal policy of 1918 entailed expulsion of Aborigines who were not full blood from the reserves. The effect is that the number of aborigines camping on the fringes of country towns increased tremendously (Read, 1983). At the same time, they were not accepted by townspeople. 5. (Points: 2)     What happened to the Dharug in the Sydney region after the 1820s? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) In reference to work done by Kohen (2000), land belonging to Dharug and their neighbours was taken away. They did not have food and water. While some died from European diseases, others succumbed to beating, shots, and torture. When the group attempted to retaliate, they were accused of barbarous acts. This gave rise to “aboriginal problem” where children were removed from their homes with intent to prevent them bad parental influence. 6. (Points: 2)     Why did Aborigines move from the country areas to the big cities, circa 1900-1950? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) By 1950, Aborigines had migrated to Adelaide. Their reasons for migration were varied but a common factor was the possibility of gaining employment opportunity and education for children (Rowley, 1982). The young single adults were drawn to the city by leisure activities in South Australia. 7. (Points: 2)     Why did they settle in such inner-suburban areas as Redfern, South Brisbane and Fitzroy? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The aborigines settled in such inner-suburban areas as Redfern, South Brisbane, and Fitzroy because of the low cost (Rowley, 1982). Once they had enough money, these people moved to better suburbs. 8. (Points: 1)     What problems faced individual Kooris and families in the big city? How did they cope? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) The kooris and families mainly encountered the problem of housing and since they lacked skills, they were not immediately employed (Miller, 1985). The solution to this was to stay in suburban and accumulate their savings. 9. (Points: 1)     Why did some Aborigines in the big city seek to "pass" into white society and others seek to maintain their identity? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Some Aborigines in the big city sought to "pass" into white society because of civilization. These aboriginals were beginning to appreciate the value of modernization, which was quite visible in the city. Those who maintained their cultures were unhappy with the way white man disrupted their cultural organization (Beresford, 1998). Reference Beresford, Q., & Omaji, P. (1998). Our State of Mind. Fremantle, Western Australia: Fremantle Centre Press. Miller, J. (1985). Koori: a will to win: The Heroic Resistance, Survival, and Triuph of Blck Australians. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. Rowley. C. D. (1982). The Other Side of the Frontier: Aboriginal Resistance to the European Invasion of Australia. Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin. Milne, C. (1982). Aboriginal Children in Substitute Care, Principal Report, Part One, Aboriginal Children's Research Project. Sydney: Family and Children's Services Agency. Read, P. (1983). “A Rape of the Soul so Profound”: Some Reflections on the Dispersal Policy in the New South Wales. Aboriginal History, 7(1): p23 – 33. Kohen, J. L. (2000). First and last people: Aboriginal Sydney. In J. Connell (Ed.). Sydney the emergence of a global city. pp 76-95. Oxford University Press. Reynolds, H. (1978). "Aboriginal Contact History: problems and issues.” Journal of Australian Studies, 3: p.54. Worksheet 6 1. (Points: 2)     What similarities in motives and tactics can you see between (a) resistance to invasion in the 1800s and (b) the political resistance from the 1920s onwards? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Aboriginal resistance to invasion had the motive of maintaining their traditional cultural setting. Both passive and active tactics were used during resistance in 1800s. The same tactics were applied in political resistance of 1920s. Wars were present during political resistance in addition to passive means, which was in the form of cold war, demonstration, and formation of pressure groups including leagues (Burgmann, 1988). 2. (Points: 2)     Who were the leaders of agitation for the betterment of Aborigines from the 1920s to the 1940s? What sort of backgrounds did they have? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) William Bill Fergusson played a critical role in Australian Workers Union and the Labour party. The leader never lived on a reserve but was very concerned about the condition of poor mothers in the reserve. Since the leader was not able to act alone, he formed an organization aimed at handling discrimination issues. Aborigines’ Progressive Association was created in 1924 to fight for the interest of Aborigines but it became inactive by 1929 (Woolmington, 1973). Ferguson later formed and association with Cooper who founded Australian Aborigine’s League. The background of these leaders shows concern for aboriginal welfare especially worker. 3. (Points: 2)     What did these leaders of the 1920s to the 1940s want for Aboriginal People? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) These leaders under the umbrella of APA criticised the Aborigines Protection Board and fought for social and economic equality for the aboriginal people. It was also their intention to achieve full representation of aboriginal people on the protection board (Miller, 1985). 4. (Points: 2)     Some Koori leaders welcomed help from sympathetic white people in their struggle some did not. Why did these attitudes differ? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Some Koori leaders saw themselves as helpless after massacre of their people thus help from sympathetic white people was indispensible. This was particularly evident in the state of Vitoria where population had been reduced by 60% in only 15 years (Millis, 1992). Some koori leaders rejected help from white people simply because of their perception that they had rights over their own land. 5. (Points: 2)     Briefly explain the reasons for the Cumeroogunga (Cumeragunja) strike of 1939. Why did it fail? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Reasons for the Cumeroogunga (Cumeragunja) strike of 1939 were malnutrition and ill treatment of the aboriginal people (Barwick, 1972). The motive of the strike was to demand an immediate inquiry into intimidation, victimization, and starvation of the people at the reserve. This strike failed mainly because the police was used to quell the strike. Leaders of the strike were arrested. 6. (Points: 2)     Why was the strike important to the Aboriginal movement? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) They wanted to be compensated after their land had been taken away by government and white settlers (Goodall, 1990). The strike was important to aboriginal community simply because it was a turning point for collective islanders owing to the fact that it aimed at giving them more authority in their own affairs. Improvement in living conditions was the ultimate aim of the strike. 7. (Points: 2)     What were some of the important experiences Aboriginal people had during the Second World War and immediately after it? (Give oral and written sources where necessary) During and after the Second World War, large number of Aboriginal men and women found their entry into services or even worked in war industries. They were then able to receive training, pay, and social contacts. It was during this time that the colour line disappeared hence bringing together Aboriginal Australians and the non-indigenous Australians (Lisa, 2010). Aboriginal were able to make contact with black American troops in Australia and admired their money, skills, and civil rights. 8. (Points: 1)     What was the nature of Aboriginal political activity in the mid-1960s? (Consider local, state and national activity) (Give oral and written sources where necessary) Local Area (say where): New South Wales (or other state): National Level In the mid 1960s, Aboriginal political activities had increased in breadth and intensity (Sawchuk, 1998). The political groups were very active in airing concerns and frustrations of Aboriginal people. It mainly revolved around agitating for the rights of aboriginal community in terms of education, and favourable working conditions. The referendum of 1967 saw many aboriginals vote to be recognised as part of Australian population. Reference Barwick, D. (1972). “ Coranderrk and Cumeroogunga: Pioneers and Police” , in T.S Burgmann, V. & Lee, J. (1988). Staining the Wattle: A People's History of Australia Since 1788. Melbourne: Mc Phee Gribble ltd. Goodall, H. (1990). Land in Our Own Country: The Aboriginal Land Rights Movement in Southeastern Australia, 1860-1914. Aboriginal History 14(1), 1- 24. Lisa, F. (2010). Settler Sovereignty: Jurisdiction and Indigenous People in America and Australia, 1788–1836. Cambridge, MA. Miller, J. (1985). Koori: a will to win: The Heroic Resistance, Survival, and Triuph of Blck Australians. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. Millis, R. (1992). Waterloo Creek: The Australia Day massacre of 1838, George Gipps and the British conquest of New South Wales. Melbourne: McPhee Gribble. Sawchuk, J. (1998). Review of the Dynamics of Native Politics: The Alberta Metis Experience. Saskatoon: Purich Publishing. Woolmington, J. (1973). Aborigines in Colonial Society 1788-1850. Cassell: Melbourne. Read More