History of Australia essays

History of Australia essays History of Australia 1901 2000 Between the years of 1901-2000, much occurred in the history of the proud, independent nation. Over more than 100 years ago, Australia fought the battle for federation against England. Australia proposed to be an independent, self-governed nation of six states and territories. Finally, on January 1st, 1901, Australia was proclaimed a federation at Centennial Park, Sydney. Only 6 years later, in 1907, the federal Arbitration Court handed down the Harvester Judgement, a document outlining the concept of basic or family wage. This system was followed through until 1967. In 1915, the soldiers of Australia fought in World War I. The country, as a whole, supported conscription, as many people believed in fighting for England. Many soldiers died in Gallipoli and on the Western Front between the years of 1916-1918. After the tragedy of war, Australias attempt to introduce conscription for service of overseas nations was defeated at referendums held in 1916 and 1917. In the late 1920s, depression struck the world. At first Australia thought that they were safe from disaster, but connections through import/export markets to overseas eventually led to Australia falling as well. In 1933, Australia reached its peak unemployment figures. A third of the nation was unemployed. During World War II, Australia feared invasion from the Japanese. The United States led a counter-offence operation and unified and mobilised troops in prepare for the invasion. When the war finally finished, Australia began a immigration program to strengthen the economy as well as populate the country. Australia became a multicultural society after 1945. In 1949, Robert Gordon Menzies became prime minister in a coalition government, a government which was to remain in power until 1972. During the 1960s, Australia became involved in the Vietnam War. Wide opposition to the war eventually led to the fall of the ...