HASS · Year 10 · Migration and Multiculturalism · Term 3

Post-War Immigration Policy: Populate or Perish

Students will examine the 'Populate or Perish' policy and its motivations for increasing Australia's population after WWII.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9H10K07

About This Topic

After World War II, Australia embarked on a massive nation-building project under the slogan 'Populate or Perish.' The government, fearing that Australia's small population made it vulnerable to invasion, sought to rapidly increase the number of citizens through large-scale migration. This topic explores the 'Ten Pound Poms' scheme, the recruitment of 'Beautiful Balts' from European displaced persons camps, and the massive infrastructure projects like the Snowy Mountains Scheme that these migrants helped build.

For Year 10 students, this unit explains the origins of Australia's modern multicultural identity. It highlights the shift from a purely British-focused migration policy to one that included broader European groups. Students grasp the economic and security motivations of the era through active learning strategies like role-playing migration interviews and collaborative investigations into the lives of post-war migrants.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the strategic and economic reasons behind the 'Populate or Perish' policy.
2. Explain how post-war anxieties shaped Australia's immigration goals.
3. Evaluate the immediate success of the policy in boosting population numbers.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary economic and strategic motivations behind Australia's 'Populate or Perish' policy.
• Explain how post-World War II anxieties, such as the fear of invasion, influenced Australia's immigration targets.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the 'Populate or Perish' policy in achieving its population growth objectives.
• Compare the initial focus on British migrants with the later inclusion of broader European groups in post-war immigration schemes.
• Identify key government initiatives, such as the 'Ten Pound Poms' scheme and the Snowy Mountains Scheme, that facilitated post-war migration.

Before You Start

Australia's Involvement in World War II

Why: Understanding Australia's experiences and vulnerabilities during WWII provides essential context for the post-war anxieties that fueled the 'Populate or Perish' policy.

Basic Economic Principles: Supply and Demand

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of economic concepts to analyze the government's motivations for increasing the labor force and stimulating economic growth through immigration.

Key Vocabulary

Populate or Perish	A post-World War II Australian government policy aimed at significantly increasing the nation's population through immigration to ensure its security and economic development.
White Australia Policy	A series of historical policies that intentionally restricted non-European immigration to Australia, which began to be dismantled after World War II to allow for broader European migration.
Displaced Persons (DPs)	Individuals who were forced to flee their home countries due to war or persecution, many of whom became migrants to Australia after World War II.
Snowy Mountains Scheme	A major post-war engineering project in Australia that involved building dams and tunnels to divert water for irrigation and hydroelectric power, largely built by migrant labor.
Ten Pound Poms	A colloquial term for British migrants who were able to emigrate to Australia after World War II for a nominal fee of ten pounds, as part of assisted passage schemes.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Post-war migration was open to everyone from the start.

What to Teach Instead

The 'Populate or Perish' policy initially strictly favored British migrants, only expanding to other Europeans when British numbers were insufficient. The White Australia Policy remained firmly in place for non-Europeans. Using a 'migration timeline' helps students see the gradual nature of these changes.

Common Misconception

Migrants were always welcomed with open arms by the Australian public.

What to Teach Instead

While the government promoted migration, many new arrivals faced 'New Australian' prejudice and were expected to assimilate quickly and drop their original culture. Peer analysis of oral histories from the Bonegilla Migrant Centre reveals the challenges of early integration.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Migration Interview

Students take on roles as Australian migration officers and European displaced persons in 1947. They must conduct interviews based on the criteria of the time, such as health, age, and 'assimilability.' This highlights the selective and often discriminatory nature of early post-war migration policies.

40 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: The Snowy Mountains Scheme

In small groups, students research the 'Snowy' as a multicultural workplace. They investigate the different nationalities involved, the working conditions, and how this project helped integrate migrants into Australian society. Groups present their findings as a 'commemorative plaque' or digital presentation.

50 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: 'Populate or Perish' Propaganda

Students examine government posters from the 1940s that encouraged migration. They reflect on the fear-based messaging (e.g., the threat of invasion) and discuss in pairs how this messaging would be received today. They then share their thoughts on how national security concerns drive migration policy.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• The demographic makeup of Australia today, with its diverse population, is a direct legacy of the post-war immigration policies that aimed to increase numbers and diversify origins.
• Engineers and construction workers involved in large-scale infrastructure projects, like the Snowy Mountains Scheme, directly contributed to Australia's development and national identity.
• Historians and demographers study migration records and census data to understand population trends and the social impact of policies like 'Populate or Perish'.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a government official in 1947. Present two key arguments for or against the 'Populate or Perish' policy, considering both national security and economic factors.' Allow students to debate their points.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short list of post-war immigration initiatives (e.g., 'Ten Pound Poms', 'Beautiful Balts', Snowy Mountains Scheme). Ask them to match each initiative with its primary goal or motivation as discussed in class.

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to write one sentence explaining the main fear driving the 'Populate or Perish' policy and one sentence describing a specific group of migrants who came to Australia as a result.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did 'Populate or Perish' mean?

It was a slogan used by Arthur Calwell, Australia's first Minister for Immigration, to convince the public that Australia needed a much larger population to defend itself and grow the economy after WWII. The goal was to increase the population by 1% per year through migration. Students can analyze the security fears of the 1940s to see why this slogan was so effective.

Who were the 'Ten Pound Poms'?

They were British migrants who could come to Australia for just £10, with the Australian government paying the rest of the fare. In return, they had to stay for at least two years. Over one million people came under this scheme. In class, students can investigate why so many people wanted to leave post-war Britain.

What was the Bonegilla Migrant Camp?

Bonegilla was the largest migrant reception centre in Australia, located in Victoria. Over 300,000 migrants passed through its doors between 1947 and 1971. It was often the first place 'New Australians' lived. Students can explore the 'Bonegilla Collection' online to see photos and stories of the people who stayed there.

How can active learning help students understand post-war migration?

Active learning, such as role-playing the migration process or investigating the Snowy Mountains Scheme, makes the 'Populate or Perish' era come to life. By stepping into the shoes of a migrant or an official, students understand the human motivations and the systemic barriers of the time. This hands-on approach helps them connect the large-scale policy to the individual stories that shaped modern Australia.