Task 4: Essay

You have remained in the 21st Century but not as your characters from the 1890s but as ordinary citizens of Australia.

You are to write an essay (1,000 words) being mindful to consider all aspects of the questions.

You are to keep in mind the "Essential Question": "How have the circumstances at Federation shaped the way in which Australia has evolved?" by answering either one of the following essay questions:  

A. Was Federation a good solution for Australia considering the "battles" that still occur between the Australian Government and the State Governments? What can be done to improve these relationships?

Consider the implications for:

• Indigenous people

• Education

• Health

• Water

• Transport

• Canberra - The Nation's Capital

Or

B. Was Federation a good solution for Australia to develop as a unified and Multicultural Nation?

You need to consider the implications for:

• Indigenous people

• Chinese

• South Sea Islanders ("Kanakas")

Also, you need to consider the attitudes of the "main" people of Federation about the policy of "White Australia".

Resources - Option 1

• Federalism and the Role of the Senate by Henry Evans, Clerk of the Senate
   

• The Threat to Federalism: Rt Hon Sir Harry Gibbs, GCMG, AC, KBE
   

• Making Federalism Flourish by Professor Wolfgang Kasper
   

• Australian Politics.com: Federalism

Resources - Option 2

• Blood, sweat, tears and sugar
   

• Our Queensland: Service or Slavery?
   

• The Kanakas and the Cane Fields
   

• Centenary of Queensland Women's Suffrage 2005: Excluded from the Vote

Once you have finished this essay and handed it in for assessment, please go to the "completion".