Before Federation, Australia was a group of six sparsely populated, self governing colonies belonging to a country on the other side of the world. Distances between the major settlements were vast and the colonies were developing like separate countries with no common goal.
Read through the Support and Opposition for Federation Fact Sheets for both sides of the argument.
Answer the following questions in detail:
Which side do you think had a stronger position? Which colony would you wanted to have belonged to? Why? Which way would you have voted in the referendum?
Complete the Federation Sorting Activity in your Everyday Books.
The Path to Federation
There were some major events that lead to Australia's Federation.
Task: On Key Note, write two information pages on each of the two following events:
Eureka Stockade
Tenterfield Oration
The First Convention
The Australian Constitution Referendums
Each information page is to include the following pieces of information (dates and pictures included).
What was the event?
Why did the event happen, what was its' purpose?
Who did this event effect directly at the time and how?
What happened during this time?
What effect/outcome did the event have on the colonies?
Snapshots: Federation... Recapping
Task: In your Everyday Books, complete the below questions. You may use the above clip to refer back to on your laptops once you have watched this as a class.
What set of rules were made up and what year did these rules take place?
How did the colonies vote for this one set of rules for all to live by?
What happened on the 1st of January 1901 that was so significant and why?
Who was sworn in as Australia's first prime minister?
Six separate British Colonies made up Australia before 1901. Explain how each colony was run as a country and what six elements helped to run them?
Who had to pass the law before Australia could become one nation and what act had to be passed?
There were four ways Australian's joined in celebrating together its' federation, list these.
Useful Websites and Clips for Research
Keynote Example- A Grade
Your Marking Key...
Please take note of the below rubric which you will be marked on...
After studying the reasons for and against Federation, choose the side that you believe had the better argument.
Task: Imagine you are a child in 1900. Write a persuasive letter to the Premier of the colony, advising him of your position on the Federation debate.
Remember to include:
your name, address and the date.
your opinions, with reasons and facts to support.
a solution and strong conclusion.
your signature.
The Tenterfield Oration by Henry Parkes
Imagine you are a resident from Tenterfield in the 1880's.
You live close to Queensland, so you travel there frequently. When you do, you have to change train because the tracks are different between the colonies. You are also charged a tariff because you are visiting from another colony.
You hear that Henry Parkes is coming to visit your town and you go tot listen to his speech and hear his three main ideas.
How do you feel after hearing Sir Henry Parkes' speech?
The Australian Constitution
Read through The Australian Constitution Fact Sheet. A change cannot be made to the Australian Constitution without a referendum, in which a majority of voters in a majority of states vote 'yes' to the change. By 2017, there have been eight successful amendments to the Australian Constitution. Research the changes then discuss the benefit these changes have made to Australian society.
Read through the text on effects to our Indigenous Australians.
Watch the below video on 'connecting with country' and draw attention to the questions from the video. These should help you with some note taking.
Take notes on the particular rights that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders may or may not have had during this time.
Task: Construct a ONE slide Key Note to answer the following questions (images included):
How would your life change if you were removed from your home and family?
How would you feel if you could not speak your native language or practise your religion?
What actions might you take to try to change the situation?
This slide will be added to the end of your federation project eventually for Open Night...
Fathers of Federation Biographies
Although they all worked for the same cause, to federate the six colonies, Henry Parkes, Alfred Deakin, Andrew Inglis Clark, John Quick and Edmund Barton came to politics via different paths.
While most people in the colonies had an opinion about Federation, for it to actually happen, someone had to be prepared to do something about it...
Task: Research two people. The first biography is to be one of the men from the 'Father's of Federation' list above who helped shape Australia as it is today.
The second person is from the 'Influencer's of a Nation' list below.
You are to create a biography for each person and have this within your keynote presentation.
Include:
Information about his character (born, died, marriage, family, where he lived.)
Why you chose to research this person
Career
His opinion of federation and the constitution
Click on any image below to take you to some helpful websites...