Australia and All Its Historical Elements - Assignment Example

Running Header: Debates in Australian History Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Debates in Australian History Question 4 The chronological account of events should be recorded in the most succinct manner. This will ensure that it possible to relate those accounts as observed and translated for future generations. An author’s subject position is very important as he or she constructs any historical accounts (Blaney, 2004). One thing that should be realized is that history will be observed and utilized as it is relayed and communicated to people who were not there to witness it occur. They will then have the active chance to dissect the piece of history. This will then guide them to understand why the future is being felt and observed the way that it is. This means that if an author’s subject position is none other than the truth, then the future will be very hard to understand for those upcoming generations that are interested in understanding the past. Distortions, biases, prejudices and exaggerations from the author’s viewpoint will have a negative impact on the historical construction of any part of the world (Barton, 1997). There are very many historical accounts that have been relayed from time to time. They have been passed on from one society to the next. The authors who take it upon themselves to relay these events have positions towards the subject in discussion. There is a very distinct difference between the author’s subject position and how he presents it to other people. In the case of history, care should be taken when dealing with what is reported, how it was reported and how it actually happened. The analysis of past happenings and the impacts that they caused will definitely have a huge mark on people studying historical events. This paper will concentrate on an author’s subject position as he or she constructs a historical account. It will concentrate solely on Australia and all its historical elements (Kemp, 2004). The Australian history belongs to one of the rich classes of historical paths and journeys. This is because the Australians have relied heavily on their history to improve on elements of their current way of living as well as plan for their future. They have used elements of history to formulate a rich culture that contains a carefully crafted and well organized political, social and economic set up. The events of the past decades have been relayed in the best medium possible for all the interested parties to understand the rich Australian history. The history is a combination of very many factors (Bowler, 2003). They concentrate on the way of living for past and existing generations and how they conducted their activities. This is then analyzed in respect to all major historical achievements and failures. This is in relation to the issue of Aborigines, the participation in the world wars and the period after the wars. This is during the great depression where many countries suffered economically. Other issues that need to be relayed in a positive way include the thorny issues of convicts of both genders and many other issues. Precision should be adhered to in constructing the journey taken by the Aborigine community and their impact to the country to date. This precision will help future historians to understand the role that was played by the community and how they contributed to the formation of Australia as a country. An author may feel that there is absolutely no connection between many past features, people and events to the current way of life. The reverse is true as observed in the case of the Aborigines. They contributed hugely to what the country is today. This is in line with the methods of farming, way of life, celebrations, forms of art and worship amongst very many others (Smith, 1980). The omissions either by error or personal stance may leave a huge historical gap for future generations. This is because they will not have the ability to relate current happenings and their connection to what the society is about at each and every point. This shows that despite what the author may feel about the issue of Aborigines and their societal contribution, it is important for them to pay heed to the facts and then comment on their position on the subject matter in question. This will ensure that each and every person studying historical facts has an active chance to read facts. Once they have, they have an active chance to make the most conclusive decisions based on the facts presented. The element of confusion is always rife if each and every author is keen on propagating their own diverse subject positions. Still on the subject of Aborigines, many Australian authors have come out openly and denied that they ever existed. Others have come up and stated that the introduction of the Aborigines in the historical account of the country aims to discredit them. Other authors are ashamed to link the connection and role of the Aborigines to the journey that the country took decades ago. Many have made excuses for the British who fought the Aboriginal tribes and dictated what was experienced in the country at that time (Smith, 1980). By having all this diverse subject positions, the element of historical confusion occurs. This is not to say that if all the authors agreed, then history will be easy to understand. The main point in the relying of events in the most appropriate and accurate fashion ensures systematization. Once it is possible to systematize history it can be easily understood. This is in line with what actually happened, why it did and what effects it had on the society. An example can be deduced from polices that were accepted and introduced to the society in the past. The position of the Australian government in many of the historical issues shows very many things in line with the issue at hand. Many authors have used some of the policies to show that the Australian government did all that it could to protect indigenous tribes. Other authors have used the policies formulated to show that the governments did absolutely nothing to protect the indigenous people in society. History relies more on factors that led to something happening the way that it did and not any other way. Alliances are formed based on history and how it was mapped out between countries from past decades. The major reasons as to why authors may have diverse opinions lies solely on the fact that every individual has different opinions to a particular issue. The differences should be used to constructively analyze history to deduce meaning. Australian history is a combination of carefully selected policies, partnerships and alliances with other countries and institutions. This can be linked to many of the historical experiences that the country went through decades ago (Battin, 1993). The entry of Australia to the First World War and the repercussions felt are some of the things that led them to carefully select their carefully associative stance. To some authors this may be the reason. To others, it may not be the reason. One thing that remains absolutely clear is the fact that Australia participated in the First World War for particular reasons. This fact should always be stated then the author’s position and substanciative evidence should follow. This is the only way that related historical accounts can attain high level standards of reliability and credibility. These are the two essential components of historical accounts and revelations. The aspect of reliability ensures that people are actually aware of what happened and how it happened (Kemp, 2004). This translates to all the information presented being free and fair. Credibility relates to the aspect of the sources of information being from a non prejudiced source. The information is not altered to suit any one person or medium. This is a clear case of what Australian historical accounts should be about. In conclusion, it is essential that an author’s subject position be respected for what it is. The only thing to be noted is that it should not be relied upon solely to form historical conclusions. Historical accounts should be communicative of what exactly happened in history. Subject positions are equal to personal opinions. It is wrong for something as reliable and predicable to be distorted. History has a huge purpose and impact on how things are done all over the world. What authors think is essential but what actually happened is reliable. In reference to Australian historical events, it is true that many authors have very many subject positions and opinions about very many issues. They may be important because they shape the dissective mindsets of very many people. However, they do not contribute in any way to what was experienced historically. Many at times, they contribute to the observations drawn from the historical account. This is mostly in future. This is based on the author’s observations, suggestions and analysis of any of the historical accounts. Once this is achieved, historical accounts and authors personal observations complement each other in the roles that they play. References Barton, K. C. (1997). ‘History – It can be elementary: An overview of elementary students’ understanding of history’, Journal of Social Education, vol 61, no 1, pp 13–16 Battin, T. (1993). A Break from the Past: The Labor Party and the Political Economy of Keynesian Social Democracy. Australian Journal of Political Science, 28(2): 221-241. Blainey, G. (2004). A Very Short History of the World. New York: Penguin Books. Bowler, J. M., Olley J. M., & Prescott J. R. (2003). "New ages for human occupation and climatic change at Lake Mungo, Australia.". Nature421 (6925): 837– 40. doi:10.1038/nature01383.PMID 1259451 Crowley, F. (1973).  Modern Australia in Documents, 1939-1970 (1973). Melbourne: Wren Publishing. Hiscock, P. (2008). Archaeology of Ancient Australia. Routledge: London. Kemp, R., & Stanton, M. (2004). Speaking for Australia: Parliamentary Speeches That Shaped Our Nation. Australia: Allen & Unwin Publishers. Lewis, W., Balderstone, S., & Bowan, J. (2006). Events that Shaped Australia. Australia: New Holland Press. Smith, L. (1980). The Aboriginal Population of Australia. Australia: Australian National University Press. Read More