Before Federation in 1901, white Australians were colonists of the British Empire. Four million people lived on the Australian continent, but there was no national defence force, no national capital and no national government. Instead, there were fierce economic and political rivalries between the six colonies, and not much cooperation. The program analyses the forces that led to Australia becoming a nation, and considers the role of the Federal Constitution.
Aim:
To encourage students to investigate the forces that led to Federation, and the political steps that were taken to achieve it. It asks how and why the colonies decided to establish a national government and considers the purpose of the Federal Constitution.
A series of history documentaries that use a variety of primary sources to investigate issues in Australia's past. The programs encourage students to critically analyse history, and to appreciate its relevance as a means of understanding where we are today. |
