VCE Australian History (Year 12) · Foundations · 18m read
Federation and the Making of the Nation, 1890–1901
On 1 January 1901 six colonies became one nation — by vote, not war. But the new Commonwealth was built on assumptions about race and belonging that shaped Australia for the next seventy years.
Learning objective: Analyse the movement for Federation, the Constitution and the values of the new Commonwealth.
By the end of this lesson you can:
- I can explain why the colonies federated.
- I can describe key features of the Constitution.
- I can evaluate who was included and excluded in the new nation.
Federation was assembling a jigsaw. Six colonies were separate puzzle pieces with their own tariffs, railways and armies. Federation fitted them together — though some pieces (First Nations peoples) were left off the board.
Federation and the Making of the Nation, 1890–1901
REASONS FOR FEDERATION:
• Defence concerns (German and French activity in the Pacific).
• Removing colonial tariffs; a national economy.
• Immigration control — especially restricting non-European migrants.
• Growing national sentiment ("one people, one destiny").
• Leaders: Henry Parkes, Edmund Barton, Alfred Deakin.
PROCESS:
• Constitutional conventions in the 1890s; referendums in the colonies.
• Constitution passed by the British Parliament (1900).
THE CONSTITUTION:
• Federal system — division of powers between Commonwealth and states.
• Bicameral parliament: House of Representatives and Senate.
• High Court to interpret the Constitution.
• Section 51(xxvi) (race power) and section 127 excluded Aboriginal people from being counted.
EARLY LEGISLATION:
• IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION ACT 1901 — dictation test; foundation of the White Australia policy.
• Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901.
• Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 — votes for (most) women; Aboriginal people largely excluded.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defence | Fear of foreign powers |
| Trade | Remove inter-colonial tariffs |
| Nationalism | "One people, one destiny" |
| Race | White Australia ideals |
| Process | Conventions (1891, 1897–98), referendums |
| Result | Commonwealth, 1 January 1901 |
Key ideas at a glance
- Multiple motives: Economic, defence, identity.
- Exclusion built in: Immigration Restriction Act 1901.
- Section 127: Excluded Aboriginal people from census count.
- Key figures: Parkes, Barton, Deakin.
Worked example (Hard)
To what extent was Federation driven by a desire for racial exclusion?
- For. The first major laws were the Immigration Restriction Act and Pacific Island Labourers Act; Deakin linked unity to a "white" Australia.
- Against. Trade, defence and national sentiment were also major motives.
- Judgement. Racial exclusion was central to the vision of the nation, though not the only reason to federate.
Answer: A central motive within a mix of economic, defence and national reasons.
Worked example (Hard)
Explain how the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 reflected national identity.
- Law. Dictation test to exclude non-Europeans.
- Ideology. White Australia.
- Significance. Identity built on racial exclusion.
Answer: It shows early national identity defined by race.
Common mistakes
- Saying Federation gave Aboriginal people citizenship The Constitution excluded them in key ways. Fix: Refer to sections 51(xxvi) and 127.
- Ignoring women's suffrage Australia was an early adopter of women's votes. Fix: Note the 1902 Franchise Act and its exclusions.
Practice questions
The Immigration Restriction Act 1901 used a:
- Points test
- Dictation test
- Wealth test
- Health test only
(1 marks)
Explain one reason the colonies wanted Federation.
(2 marks)
Federation occurred on:
- 26 Jan 1788
- 1 Jan 1901
- 25 Apr 1915
- 27 May 1967
(1 marks)
Explain one economic motive for Federation.
(2 marks)
Summary
- Defence, trade, immigration control and nationalism drove Federation.
- The Constitution set up a federal system and High Court.
- White Australia and exclusion of Aboriginal people were built in.
- Unity with exclusion.