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How did we establish our system of government? · 1 min read

Federation

After British settlement and before 1901, Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing British colonies.

Each colony had its own constitution and laws relating to defence, immigration, postage, trade and transport. However, this created difficulties between the colonies. For example, trade and transport between the colonies was expensive and slow, and enforcing the law across borders was difficult. The separate colonies also had weak systems of defence.

As a result, people wanted to unite the colonies to form a single nation. More importantly, Australia’s national identity was beginning to form. Sporting teams were representing Australia internationally and an Australian culture was developing in popular songs, poems, stories and art.

Uniting the nation was a difficult task, but over time, the idea of one Australian nation became a reality. On 1 January 1901, the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia.

Test yourself on this topic

7 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. Before 1901, each colony made its own laws about which of these matters?

    • Postage and trade
    • Air travel safety rules
    • Internet and phone networks
    • Television and radio licensing

    Explanation: Each colony controlled its own defence, immigration, postage, trade and transport laws.

  2. 2. Before 1901, how many separate self-governing British colonies made up Australia?

    • Eight
    • Six
    • Four
    • Ten

    Explanation: There were six colonies, and each one governed itself before they joined together in 1901.

  3. 3. How is the job of uniting the colonies into one nation described?

    • It was ordered by the colonial sporting teams
    • It happened quickly after a single meeting
    • It was completed before the colonies were settled
    • It was a difficult task that became a reality over time

    Explanation: Bringing the colonies together took a long time and was not easy, but it finally succeeded.

  4. 4. On what date were the Australian colonies united into a federation?

    • 9 May 1900
    • 1 July 1967
    • 26 January 1788
    • 1 January 1901

    Explanation: Federation took place on the first day of 1901, when the colonies became one nation.

  5. 5. What showed that an Australian national identity was beginning to form before 1901?

    • British settlers stopped arriving in the colonies
    • Colonies began printing their own bank notes
    • Sporting teams represented Australia internationally
    • The colonies agreed to share one defence force

    Explanation: Australian teams played overseas and an Australian culture appeared in songs, poems, stories and art.

  6. 6. What weakness of the separate colonies helped push people towards forming one nation?

    • They shared a single colonial parliament
    • They had no farming land left
    • They had weak systems of defence
    • They had no written laws of any kind

    Explanation: On their own the colonies could not defend themselves well, which was one reason to unite.

  7. 7. Which TWO difficulties were caused by having separate colonies?

    • Enforcing the law across the borders was difficult
    • Trade and transport between the colonies were expensive and slow
    • Goods moved quickly and cheaply between the colonies
    • All the colonies had to share a single police force

    Explanation: Separate borders made moving goods slow and costly, and made it hard to enforce laws from one colony in another.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet