What Ftrs lin th Dismantling of ssimiltin liis in ustrli from the 1960s - Essay Example

What fасtоrs ехрlаin thе dismantling оf аssimilаtiоn роliсiеs in Аustrаliа from the 1960s Name University Date What fасtоrs ехрlаin thе dismantling оf аssimilаtiоn роliсiеs in Аustrаliа from the 1960s The idea of assimilation in Australia can be traced as early as 1930s but was later adopted as an official government policy in 1950s. Australia had adopted a British culture and the immigrants who came to Australia were expected to fit in that culture. The culture of majority, around 97% was expected to be adopted by migrants as well as Aboriginal peoples1. Assimilation policy was seen as logic but did not necessary operate logically. The best intentions expected from the missionaries and welfare officials mismatched as they attempted to force the Aborigines become pseudo-Europeans in a swift manner2. The inherent flaw of assimilation policy was that it was not gradual and was perverted into an absorption campaign. The efforts put into process were inversely proportional to success that was derived. The food, health care and accommodation offered for attraction failed the assimilation goals. Foreign migrants facilitated the dismantling of assimilation policy. Many Australians by then were scared of various and new cultures that came into Australia as they were seen as a prevalent in diluting the general culture. The white Australian policy that had operated since 1900s was losing its significance as immigrants from other parts of the world and particularly Asians migrants were allowed in contrast with the previous preferred Britain and Ireland. As such people migrated to Australia, they were required to leave behind their values, customs, beliefs and ways of life and so were the Aboriginals. There were specific factors that can be related to the dismantling of assimilation policies as discussed in this paper3. The rise of indigenous protest movements against assimilation was an indication that it was not effectively working as it had been envisaged. Australian society was also becoming more liberal and people increased their awareness of the discrimination perpetrated against the indigenous people. The era of liberalization made assimilation as inadequate policy to be pursued. The government faced sharp criticism from indigenous movement and the support by a part of Australian community. In the face of criticism of assimilation, many people were oriented to integration as a right policy to be pursued4. It was certain that no matter the requirements of assimilation policy, foreign immigrants retained to quite an extent the aspects of their culture thriving while still living within Australian community. The Federal Government become more open to let the Aboriginal integrate rather than just assimilate. The Aboriginals were hence required to adopt and adapt the ‘white’ Australian or Anglo-Saxon culture as well as retain their aspects of traditional practices. However, the government was not active in promoting a multicultural society. In 1970s, there was a change in the policy of indigenous population to self-determination when the government inclined to multicultural society5. There was an increased aborigines activism, urbanization and self-determination. The people were proactively looking at policy and practice and the attempts to assimilate were seen as futile since in the face of Australia economic prosperity and tremendous expansion, the experiences of Aborigines was not optimistic at all6. The Aborigine people remained at the bottom in the socio-economic scale, with poverty accentuating severe health problems affecting many of them7. The inherent contradictions of the era of assimilation heightened the Aboriginals activities and protests. The push for equality through protests was heightened in 1960s as the Aboriginals claimed back their land. After some decades of cultural adjustments, there were no changes in practical terms as expected. The desirable occupational skills, increased care and hygiene and settlement of communities were the ultimate logics for assimilation but did not work. Increased activism was led by protests groups including the Freedom Rides and Aborigines’’ progressive Association. The policy which was presented as good for the indigenous failed to work8. The Aboriginal protests gained through their desire to move towards self-determinism. The Aboriginal wanted to participate more in most of their affairs, laws and policies which affected the whole community9. International forces were felt at work particularly after World War II. The same reflected in Australia and led to considerations of the nature of important development for Australian Aboriginal as well as other immigrants affairs. The foreign influence led to differences in Australian stand on assimilation policy and came up with other alternative and most regarded options to allow multiculturalism. There was a significant rise of views which made the rights of the Aboriginals audible. The formation of Federal Council promoted representation for advancement of Aborigines. The international sphere was engaged concerning the Australian position in relation to human rights. Aborigines’ people stated to take survival into their hands which later gained a world-wide attention as a real anti-colonial struggle. Nkrumah, the then Ghanaian president petitioned the UN on their behalf. The situation was criticized by many as it degraded and depressed the Aboriginal people and other immigrants living in the continent. The development of literature materials indicated the need for a solution for Aboriginals and Australia as a whole. There was expression of the tension that existed and the desire for relief. The arguments from both the national and international outlook were very influential. The development show the Councils and Commissions empowered to recommend legislation for the recognition of other communities’ customary laws. Legislation was weighed in its fairness and assimilation was seen as unequal or discriminatory. The international concerns were to eliminate all forms of discrimination and Australia had to comply with the internationally accepted principles of non-discrimination and equality10. The changing international circumstances promoted most of Asians countries to gain their independence from their colonial powers. The independent nations promoted their voices to be considered in the United Nations which alerted the organization to look at discriminatory and racially based policies such as the Australia immigration policies. The process gained momentum in 1960s and strong advocate particularly by Peter Heydon who strongly doubted the white Australia policy. There were other general factors that promoted the dismantling of assimilation policy. The general observations render international factors such as the growth of trade union movements, increased overseas charitable organizations and rise of Communism as important in the increased interest for the rights of oppressed minorities. The Aborigines as well as Australian minorities opposed any opportunistic manipulation and particularly those advanced through the policy. The plight of the Aboriginals was voiced by a group of academics, prominent citizens and clergymen. As a number of leaders supported the points put out by the Aboriginals, there was a need to look at the future progress of Australia as a nation capable of promoting welfare to all its citizens. Regional pressures were felt in Australia hence accelerating reforms. Australia relations with Asia were under scrutiny particularly during Vietnam War11. Australian government considered developing closer relations with other Southeast Asia as important. The primary task that faced the government in 1960s was on how to respond to swift changes during the period. Short-term results were passed leading to admission of migrant from mixed descent and further increase of migrants in subsequent years. The figure rose from 7,381 in 1968 to 9,410 in 1969. Close family relationships further meant that the migrants’ rate increased. The assimilation policy was damaging the Australia relations with other Asians people. The increased moral criticism of the policy was prevalent as Australia was discriminative in immigration policies and further required assimilation of non-Europeans. The need to resolve the anomalies emerged in order to resolve awkward policy. The proposals that would promote change were set out including the admittance of non-Europeans through the use of a selective basis for a permanent residence. The successful immigrants would then become eligible to apply for citizenship after a five years residency as other Europeans12. There was further recommendation to promote naturalization for non-European who resided in Australia on a temporal basis. The first half of 1960s saw the decline of assimilation policy and values. Reforms were made and the government agreed to extend the rights of non-Europeans reducing the effects of long-standing racial-based policy13. Assimilation policy was dismantled as Australia’s long standing British identity declined. The UK application to be a member of European Economic Community (EEC) in 1961-1963 and its decision to conclude its Defense Policy and military role in east of Suez acted against the Australian belief that both Australia and UK were community of interest between the Britons in UK and Australia. The British race patriotism therefore declined and led to subsequent fewer defenses on racial purity14. There were other difficulties in British-Australian relationship that had been experienced prior to UK decision to become an EEC member. The difficulties between the UK and Australia led Australia to be pushed to the sphere of United States. The stronger ties that developed between Australia and US did not however destroy Australia’s British identity in major ways. The Australia- UK future relationship was questionable after the UK sought EEC membership leading to Australia need to diversify its trade. Afterwards, Australia moved on to remove the word British from Australian passports which was an important symbolic move to alleviate assimilation policy. Australia had to adapt to the new situation as UK would be less involved in intricate matters of the East of Suez. UK’s world role to the Australians diminished. Integration became the most convenient approach for Australia to respond to this new circumstance. The remaining connection between Australia and UK remained along the familial ties and their shared wartime experiences which would be stressed for their communications. Australia as a fervent believer in British heritage was forced to accept the new world reality. The nation had to evolve a distinctive national character and identity15. The influence of migrants to the development of Australia as a nation was another factor that contributed to dismantling of assimilation policy. Migrants brought to Australia great skills and contributed to Australian cultures and way of life. There was contrast to an era that supported Britishness characterized by absolute conformity. 1960s was a period of new nationalism as an attempt to replace Britishness16. However, there was much uncertainty as Australia struggled in finding a credible idea of community without race at the core. The centre of Australia identity namely Britishness was abandoned to some extents though there were attitudes to maintain a homogenous population which was neither exclusive nor multi-racial17. The need for national cohesion was seen as important in this period and the government move towards legislative changes to White Australia policy was a matter of concern. In1967, there was a proposal of slight increase in number of highly qualified non-European migrants. Previously, they were admitted on temporary basis and the development of Australian immigration policy was an approach that showed the need for reform by stressing the need for development. Consequently, more than 5, 000 non-European immigrants received a permanent residency under new regulations. The dismantling of assimilation policy under White Australia was highly influenced by Liberal-Country party in 1966 and 6718. White Australia’s strongest advocates were declining in their political strength. Among the notable were Sir John Lathan who defended the White Australia in 1961 who had passed away, retired Menzies and resigned Arthur Calwell, the leader of Australian Labor Party19. There were however some prominent sectors that remained in support of White Australia due to anxiety that were experienced through persistent riots in UK, South Africa and US. British race patriotism was progressively losing on its much appeal to national ideal. A complete move to a belief that Australian was British people was very slow process and this led to break down of assimilation and restrictive immigration legislation. References Altman, J. C. "Economic futures on Aboriginal land in remote and very remote Australia: hybrid economies and joint ventures." Culture, Economy and Governance in Aboriginal Australia, University of Sydney Press, Sydney (2005): 211-134. Antecol, Heather, Deborah A. Cobb-Clark, and Stephen J. Trejo. 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