White Australia Policy
What did the White Australia Policy and Aboriginal Protection Acts reflect about Australia’s view of Asian and Indigenous peoples?
“Australia for the white man”
As Australia entered the new century after federation, deep concerns and fears of other races which had been bubbling beneath the surface since colonization began to emerge in the policies of the new government. Two of the most controversial were ‘The White Australia Policy’ and the ‘Aboriginal Protection Act’. These two policies, widely supported by all white Australians, came from the deep-rooted sense of superiority that whites held over blacks, known as Social Darwinism as well as ignorance and lack of empathy.
The White Australia Policy restricted non-white immigration …show more content…
Every issue included cartoons degtrading and villifying the black race.
Economic impacts had a huge sway over public opinion against blacks. Australian workers were afraid that non-white people coming from Asia would take all the jobs from Australian born people. This was inflamed during the gold rush when massive amounts of Chinese miners came in and made huge amounts of money, taking it away from Australians. Further to this, there was a fear that non white people would work for less money and in poorer working conditions, undermining the trade unions and the labor movements push for more money and better conditions.
Economically in regard to Aboriginals, White Australian views made getting a job extremely difficult. No job that was not laboring was ever given to an aboriginal, who were believed to be uneducated and useless for jobs that required thought. Indeed the feelings were so anti Aboriginal at the time that one politician in his speech declared “There is no scientific evidence that aboriginals are even human” In an environment where you are treated like animals under the guise of an Aboriginal Protection Act, there is no hope for a better life if you were born …show more content…
But to only look at the good things and ignore our mistakes would be a grave mistake. As a nation today we frown on Racism and condemn racists, however it has been a long time coming and we have made too many mistakes. The notion that white skin makes you a more superior person was a notion held by the majority of Australians even up to only 30 years ago. Indeed the White Australia Policy was in use up to 1973, with related policies ending as late as 1982. Australia’s the treatment of Aborigines has been terrible for 200 years which has led to a great deal of understandable bitterness in the Aboriginal community. What is important for a nation is to learn from our mistakes and bad policies. Australia today is a proud multicultural society and reaps the rewards of
“Australia for the white man”
As Australia entered the new century after federation, deep concerns and fears of other races which had been bubbling beneath the surface since colonization began to emerge in the policies of the new government. Two of the most controversial were ‘The White Australia Policy’ and the ‘Aboriginal Protection Act’. These two policies, widely supported by all white Australians, came from the deep-rooted sense of superiority that whites held over blacks, known as Social Darwinism as well as ignorance and lack of empathy.
The White Australia Policy restricted non-white immigration …show more content…
Every issue included cartoons degtrading and villifying the black race.
Economic impacts had a huge sway over public opinion against blacks. Australian workers were afraid that non-white people coming from Asia would take all the jobs from Australian born people. This was inflamed during the gold rush when massive amounts of Chinese miners came in and made huge amounts of money, taking it away from Australians. Further to this, there was a fear that non white people would work for less money and in poorer working conditions, undermining the trade unions and the labor movements push for more money and better conditions.
Economically in regard to Aboriginals, White Australian views made getting a job extremely difficult. No job that was not laboring was ever given to an aboriginal, who were believed to be uneducated and useless for jobs that required thought. Indeed the feelings were so anti Aboriginal at the time that one politician in his speech declared “There is no scientific evidence that aboriginals are even human” In an environment where you are treated like animals under the guise of an Aboriginal Protection Act, there is no hope for a better life if you were born …show more content…
But to only look at the good things and ignore our mistakes would be a grave mistake. As a nation today we frown on Racism and condemn racists, however it has been a long time coming and we have made too many mistakes. The notion that white skin makes you a more superior person was a notion held by the majority of Australians even up to only 30 years ago. Indeed the White Australia Policy was in use up to 1973, with related policies ending as late as 1982. Australia’s the treatment of Aborigines has been terrible for 200 years which has led to a great deal of understandable bitterness in the Aboriginal community. What is important for a nation is to learn from our mistakes and bad policies. Australia today is a proud multicultural society and reaps the rewards of