The National Identity of Australia, 1901-1914 Essay Example
The National Identity of Australia, 1901-1914.
On the first of January, 1901, six squabbling colonies united, and the Commonwealth of Australia was born. In the years to follow, leading up to the tragedy of World War One, Australian nationalism was to reach new heights, as the people sought to develop their own national identity, a sense of belonging to their great Southern land. New railways linked the formerly divided State capitals, the telegraph service could now span the continent, and newspapers such as the Bulletin spouted the democratic and egalitarian principles of the Australian ideals. Within years, Australia had become known as a land of freedom and equality, of mateship and good will, and the superiority of racial "purity". Australia had become a nation, and upon study of this era, the complexity of interaction between countless factors in the determination of the Australian identity becomes increasingly clear. The high standard of living conditions, social welfare, literature, egalitarian ideals, British heritage and racial prejudice that flourished throughout Australian society all had an important part to play in the establishment of cultural identity and upon careful analysis of the period, this cannot be denied.
In 1901, over 77 percent of the Australian population had been born to British parents and of these, 18 percent had actually been born in Britain. First settled as a colony of the British empire, Australian society had been massively influenced by British ideas and tradition, and this was reflected in all aspects of Australian life. Parliaments and laws were modelled on those of Britain, and the newly founded Commonwealth parliament was in many ways a mere clone of the British system. Indeed, the Australian House of Representatives bore a striking resemblance to the Lower House of Britain, and the Senate likewise to the House of Lords. Schools taught British history and literature as a major priority, and every few years, political
On the first of January, 1901, six squabbling colonies united, and the Commonwealth of Australia was born. In the years to follow, leading up to the tragedy of World War One, Australian nationalism was to reach new heights, as the people sought to develop their own national identity, a sense of belonging to their great Southern land. New railways linked the formerly divided State capitals, the telegraph service could now span the continent, and newspapers such as the Bulletin spouted the democratic and egalitarian principles of the Australian ideals. Within years, Australia had become known as a land of freedom and equality, of mateship and good will, and the superiority of racial "purity". Australia had become a nation, and upon study of this era, the complexity of interaction between countless factors in the determination of the Australian identity becomes increasingly clear. The high standard of living conditions, social welfare, literature, egalitarian ideals, British heritage and racial prejudice that flourished throughout Australian society all had an important part to play in the establishment of cultural identity and upon careful analysis of the period, this cannot be denied.
In 1901, over 77 percent of the Australian population had been born to British parents and of these, 18 percent had actually been born in Britain. First settled as a colony of the British empire, Australian society had been massively influenced by British ideas and tradition, and this was reflected in all aspects of Australian life. Parliaments and laws were modelled on those of Britain, and the newly founded Commonwealth parliament was in many ways a mere clone of the British system. Indeed, the Australian House of Representatives bore a striking resemblance to the Lower House of Britain, and the Senate likewise to the House of Lords. Schools taught British history and literature as a major priority, and every few years, political