How Did The Colonies Respond To Federation
Federation encouraged many changes in the Australian society. Colonies believed that they could defend themselves if they united with the economy. Transport made it easier to travel and transport goods interstate. There was also growth in national pride. In this essay it will display how these courses of action led to federation.
The colonies decided it would be beneficial for them to unite because they could defend themselves. Prior to federation the colonies were ill-equipped to defend themselves. Each colony had its own militaries consisting of a small permanent force and volunteers, but they all relied on the British navy to periodically patrol the vast Australian coastline. Increasingly, people feared the Australian colonies could be vulnerable to attack from nations such as Germany, France and Russia who had already colonised parts of the Pacific. Australia's position as a sparsely-populated …show more content…
Despite developments in the railway system which allowed even many remote areas to be reached by rail by the late 1800s, progress was ultimately restricted by each colony having a different rail widths. When the rail system in each colony was being built, the colonies were operating independently of one another. Connecting the tracks between them was not considered and therefore never discussed. As a result, Victoria had a width of 1.6 metres, while in New South Wales it was 1.43 metres and in Queensland it was 1.07 metres. Without similar widths, trains could not cross colonial borders. At a time when trains were the main means of long-distance land transport, having to change trains at the border of each colony was a great inconvenience for people travelling. Those involved in inter-colonial trade were also hindered by the rail system, having to unload and reload goods and produce at each border. Therefore transport was a great investment during the
The colonies decided it would be beneficial for them to unite because they could defend themselves. Prior to federation the colonies were ill-equipped to defend themselves. Each colony had its own militaries consisting of a small permanent force and volunteers, but they all relied on the British navy to periodically patrol the vast Australian coastline. Increasingly, people feared the Australian colonies could be vulnerable to attack from nations such as Germany, France and Russia who had already colonised parts of the Pacific. Australia's position as a sparsely-populated …show more content…
Despite developments in the railway system which allowed even many remote areas to be reached by rail by the late 1800s, progress was ultimately restricted by each colony having a different rail widths. When the rail system in each colony was being built, the colonies were operating independently of one another. Connecting the tracks between them was not considered and therefore never discussed. As a result, Victoria had a width of 1.6 metres, while in New South Wales it was 1.43 metres and in Queensland it was 1.07 metres. Without similar widths, trains could not cross colonial borders. At a time when trains were the main means of long-distance land transport, having to change trains at the border of each colony was a great inconvenience for people travelling. Those involved in inter-colonial trade were also hindered by the rail system, having to unload and reload goods and produce at each border. Therefore transport was a great investment during the