What is the history of democracy in Australia?

What is the history of democracy in Australia?

Many would say that the defining moment for Australian democracy was federation in 1901. Several conventions were held to draft an Australian Constitution. The Constitution was approved by a vote of the Australian people in referendums held in each colony between June 1899 and July 1900.

What were the two indigenous groups of Australian history?

Australia’s Indigenous peoples are two distinct cultural groups made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What was the assimilation policy in Australia?

The policy of assimilation means that all Aborigines and part-Aborigines are expected to attain the same manner of living as other Australians and to live as members of a single Australian community, enjoying the same rights and privileges, accepting the same customs and influenced by the same beliefs as other …

Why did the stolen generation happen in Australia?

What happened and why? The forcible removal of First Nations children from their families was part of the policy of Assimilation, which was based on the misguided assumption that the lives of First Nations people would be improved if they became part of white society.

What is democracy for kids?

Democracy For Kids. A democracy is a government that is run by the people. In a democracy, people voice their opinions by voting on important issues and/or by voting on who they think should lead the government.

What ancient civilization came up with the idea of democracy?

The ancient Greeks were the first to create a democracy. The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words that mean people (demos) and rule (kratos).

What is the difference between indigenous and aboriginal?

‘Indigenous peoples’ is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The term “Indigenous” is increasingly replacing the term “Aboriginal”, as the former is recognized internationally, for instance with the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

How many indigenous groups are there in Australia?

Indigenous peoples and cultures There were over 500 different clan groups or ‘nations’ around the continent, many with distinctive cultures, beliefs and languages. Today, Indigenous people make up 2.4 per cent of the total Australian population (about 460,000 out of 22 million people).

Why was the assimilation policy introduced in Australia?

Assimilation policies presumed that Indigenous Australians could enjoy the same standard of living as white Australians if they adopted European customs and beliefs and were absorbed into white society: Embedded within the policy of assimilation was a clear expectation of the cultural extinction of Indigenous peoples.”

What year was the assimilation policy introduced?

Assimilation Policy (1951 – 1962) The assimilation policy was a policy of absorbing Aboriginal people into white society through the process of removing children from their families. The ultimate intent of this policy was the destruction of Aboriginal society.

What did Kevin Rudd Apologise for?

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering, and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

What arguments were used to justify the Stolen Generation?

A further justification used by the government of the day was that it was believed that “Pure Blood” Aboriginal people would die out and that the “Mixed Blood” children would be able to assimilate into society much easier, this being based on the premise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were racially …