HASS · Year 6 · Australia as a Nation · Term 1

Key Figures & Debates of Federation

Explore the roles of prominent figures like Henry Parkes and Edmund Barton, and the core arguments for and against Federation.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS6K01

About This Topic

A New Nation Is Born focuses on the immediate aftermath of Federation, examining how the Commonwealth of Australia began to function as a unified entity. This period involved creating the machinery of government, from the opening of the first Parliament in Melbourne to the eventual design and construction of Canberra. Students explore the early legislative priorities, including the controversial Pacific Island Labourers Act and the Judiciary Act, which established the High Court.

This topic is vital for understanding the Australian identity and the practicalities of nation-building. It connects to ACARA standards by looking at the experiences of different groups, including First Nations peoples and migrants, during the early 20th century. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation, as they weigh the successes of the new nation against the exclusionary policies that defined its early years.

Key Questions

1. Explain the primary motivations of key figures like Henry Parkes in advocating for Federation.
2. Differentiate between the main arguments presented by proponents and opponents of Federation, and identify which groups were entirely absent from these debates.
3. Analyze why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-European residents were excluded from the Federation referenda, and what this reveals about the values of the new nation.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the primary motivations of key figures, such as Henry Parkes, in advocating for Australian Federation.
• Compare and contrast the main arguments presented by proponents and opponents of Federation.
• Identify which groups were excluded from the Federation debates and referenda.
• Analyze the implications of excluding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-European residents from the Federation referenda on the values of the new nation.

Before You Start

Australian Colonies in the 19th Century

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of the separate colonial structures and identities that existed before Federation.

Basic Principles of Government

Why: Understanding concepts like laws, parliament, and governance is necessary to grasp the motivations behind creating a federal government.

Key Vocabulary

Federation	The process of uniting separate colonies into a single country, forming the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
Protectionism	An economic policy favored by some colonies that involved imposing tariffs on imported goods to protect local industries.
Self-governance	The ability of a colony to manage its own internal affairs and laws, a key aspect debated during the lead-up to Federation.
Referendum	A national vote where citizens decide on a specific proposal or question, used in Australia to approve the Constitution for Federation.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Canberra has always been the capital of Australia.

What to Teach Instead

Melbourne served as the temporary capital for 26 years. Using a timeline of the 'Seat of Government' helps students understand the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne that led to the compromise of Canberra.

Common Misconception

The new nation was inclusive of all people living in Australia.

What to Teach Instead

Early laws specifically excluded First Nations people and non-European migrants. Peer discussion about the 'White Australia' policy helps students confront the reality that the new nation was designed to be a 'working man's paradise' for Europeans only.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Capital City Search

Students act as members of the 1900s 'Capital Site Selection Committee'. They use maps and historical criteria to argue why a specific site (like Dalgety or Albury) should have been chosen over Canberra.

50 min·Small Groups

Role Play: The First Parliament Opening

Students take on roles of various attendees at the 1901 opening in Melbourne, including politicians, reporters, and excluded groups. They write a short 'eyewitness account' reflecting their character's perspective on the event.

45 min·Individual

Stations Rotation: Early Commonwealth Laws

Set up stations for different early acts (e.g., The Post and Telegraph Act, The Immigration Restriction Act). Students rotate to identify who benefited from each law and who was disadvantaged.

60 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Historians at the National Archives of Australia analyze original documents from the Federation conventions, similar to how political scientists today study constitutional debates in countries like the European Union.
• Local government councils in Australia today manage services for their communities, reflecting the principle of self-governance that was a core concern for the Australian colonies before Federation.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with two slips of paper. On one, they write the name of a key figure and one reason they supported Federation. On the other, they write one argument against Federation and the type of person or group who might have made that argument.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a colonist in 1900. Based on the arguments for and against Federation, would you vote yes or no? Explain your reasoning, considering at least two specific arguments.' Facilitate a class debate where students take on different perspectives.

Quick Check

Present students with a list of groups (e.g., factory owners, farmers, Indigenous Australians, recent immigrants from China). Ask them to identify which groups were likely proponents of Federation, opponents, or excluded from the debates, and briefly justify their choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the first Parliament held in Melbourne?

Melbourne was the largest and wealthiest city at the time of Federation, largely due to the Gold Rush. It had the infrastructure, like the Royal Exhibition Building, to host such a massive event. It remained the seat of government until Parliament House in Canberra was opened in 1927.

What were the first laws passed by the Australian Parliament?

Some of the first laws included the Immigration Restriction Act (the basis of the White Australia policy) and the Pacific Island Labourers Act. These were designed to create a racially homogenous nation. However, they also passed the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902, which gave most women the right to vote in federal elections.

How did the new government affect First Nations people?

Federation largely ignored First Nations people. The Constitution stated they would not be counted in the census and that the federal government could not make laws for them. This left their rights in the hands of state governments, often leading to increased control and the removal of children.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching the early Commonwealth?

Using primary source analysis in a 'detective' format works well. Give students snippets of the 1901 Constitution or early newspapers and ask them to find evidence of national pride versus evidence of exclusion. This active inquiry helps students synthesize the dual nature of Australia's birth: a democratic triumph for some and a period of loss for others.