Civil Rights and Social Movements · Term 3

Non-Violent Resistance: MLK and the SCLC

Study Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership and the non-violent direct action campaigns of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

About This Topic

The 1967 Referendum in Australia is a landmark event in the nation's history, where over 90% of voters supported constitutional change. This topic examines the decade-long campaign led by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous activists to remove discriminatory clauses from the Australian Constitution. Students investigate the role of organizations like FCAATSI and the impact of the 1965 Freedom Ride in building public support for the 'Yes' vote.

In the Year 12 Modern History curriculum, this topic is central to understanding the legal and social status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It aligns with ACARA's focus on civil rights and the power of democratic processes. Students also analyze the myths surrounding the referendum, clarifying what it actually achieved (federal power to legislate for Indigenous people) versus what it did not (the right to vote, which had been granted earlier).

This topic comes alive when students can physically model the campaign strategies through a collaborative media-creation project.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The 'Yes' Campaign

Groups analyze primary source posters, leaflets, and song lyrics from the 1967 campaign. They must identify the key messages used to persuade the Australian public and create their own 'campaign pitch' for a modern audience.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Debunking the Myths

Students are given a list of common beliefs about the 1967 referendum (e.g., it gave Indigenous people the right to vote, it made them citizens). They work in pairs to research the facts and create a 'Myth vs. Reality' infographic to share with the class.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: The Leaders of the Movement

Display profiles of activists like Faith Bandler, Jessie Street, and Doug Nicholls. Students move in groups to identify the different roles these individuals played in the campaign and how they built a broad coalition of support.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The 1967 Referendum gave Aboriginal people the right to vote.

What to Teach Instead

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had already gained the right to vote in federal elections in 1962. Peer discussion of the actual constitutional changes (Sections 51 and 127) helps students understand that the referendum was about federal responsibility and inclusion in the census.

Common Misconception

The referendum automatically improved living conditions for Indigenous people.

What to Teach Instead

While a symbolic and legal victory, it was only a 'beginning' that allowed the federal government to act. A collaborative investigation into post-1967 policies helps students see that real change required further political will and activism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the two main changes made to the Constitution in 1967?

The referendum removed Section 127, which had excluded Aboriginal people from being counted in the national census, and amended Section 51 (xxvi) to allow the Federal Government to make laws for Aboriginal people, a power previously held only by the states.

Why was the 'Yes' vote so high?

The 'Yes' campaign was highly organized and framed the issue as one of simple fairness and national unity. There was also no organized 'No' campaign, and the major political parties all supported the change, reflecting a significant shift in public attitudes toward Indigenous rights.

What was the role of Faith Bandler in the referendum?

Faith Bandler was a key leader of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI). She spent ten years campaigning for the referendum, traveling across the country to give speeches and organize the 'Yes' vote.

How can active learning help students understand the 1967 Referendum?

Active learning strategies like 'source analysis workshops' allow students to see the referendum as a human story of persistence. By analyzing the letters and petitions sent to Parliament, students understand that this was a hard-won victory led by Indigenous people themselves. This approach counters the idea that rights were simply 'granted' by the government and highlights the importance of active citizenship.

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