The land known today as “Down Under” was home to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, before European settlers arrived. They were very diverse, each region with its own cultural traditions and lifestyles.
Indigenous Australians were in contact with Asian and oceanic mariners and traders for hundreds of years prior to the arrival of the Europeans. The first contact between Australians and the Europeans was in 1606 with Willem Janszoon, a Dutch explorer. From then on, numerous European explorers and traders charted the coastline of Australia, which was then known as New Holland. About 80 years later, British explorer, William Dampier became the first to land on the coast and almost 100 years later, Captain James Cook explored further to claim it for the British Crown.
Upon claiming the land, Britain used it as a penal colony, sending thousands of convicted criminals to serve their time there. The first fleet arrived on January 26, 1788 at Sydney Harbour, known today as Australia Day, an annual celebration.
Over 160,000 convicted criminals were sent to Australia between 1780 and 1868. From the 1790s and on, free immigrants also made the long trip to start a new life in the wool industry and the gold rush.
With all the new growth and new wealth that was brought to the new immigrants, the Indigenous Australians suffered greatly in various ways, including death and illness.
A Nation Is Born
In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Under one constitution, there were six states, and the population of the non-Indigenous people was estimated at 3.8 million. Of these, 75% were born in Australia, with the majority of them being of English, Scottish, or Irish descent.
The new founders of this nation had a vision of Australia being a place of harmony and unity. They strongly believed in human rights, democracy, and the secret ballot.
The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 restricted migration from areas other than Europe, until World War II. Australia now has a nondiscriminatory policy, opening its doors to people from over 200 countries.
Between 1900 and 1914, the development of Australia was in full force. Institutions for social services and government were being set up, as was industry and agriculture.
The Impact of War
World War I greatly devastated Australia, where the male population was under 3 million, and 400,000 of them voluntarily went off to war. As a result, over 60,000 men perished, and tens of thousands wounded.
The “Anzac” ethos of courage and spirit resulted from this act of bravery, setting a special date to commemorate those who fought at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915, and to commemorate other soldiers who have fought in following wars.
Between the two devastating world wars, there was a great instability, as social and economic gaps widened. During the Depression, numerous Australian financial institutions buckled. In World War II, Australia was proud to have provided a great contribution to the Allied Forces.
Postwar Prosperity
When the war ended, Australia began to boom, with millions of new migrants arriving for a new life. Women who worked in factories during the time of the war were still able to continue to work even after the fact, as the manufacturing industry was growing steadily. In the 1950s, the economy strengthened further, with major nation-building projects in the works. By 1960, over 70% owned their own homes. Melbourne was host to the Olympic Games in 1956.
A Changing Society
Australia went through political, economic, and social changes in the 1960s thanks to the vast ethnic diversity and the Vietnam War. Australians voted overwhelmingly in favor of including Indigenous Australians in future censuses in 1967. Throughout the 70s, many major changes took place to reform foreign affairs, health, education, and more. With the changing governments in Office, even more positive changes were brought on and continue to this day, trying to make improvements for a better society.
Today, Australia is a leader among cosmopolitan societies. Although English is the official language, over 200 others are spoken. It is diverse in media, business, the arts, religion, foods, fashion and more.
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