racism towards the chinese
The Australian gold rush attracted emigrants from all over the world, including Europe, North and South America, China and Africa. The majority of miners lived in multicultural harmony. They adopted similar uniforms and were too caught up in the search for gold and a new life to pay attention to their cultural differences. However, this was not the case for Asian migrants, especially the Chinese. Unlike other emigrants who blended into the gold mining scene, the Chinese retained their culture and customs in Australia. A strong anti-Chinese attitude, that stemmed from the long-held belief of European superiority, existed amongst Australian colonists. The distinct cultural contrast between the Europeans and the Chinese lead to fear and racism. The clothing, mannerisms and physical appearance of the Chinese was very different to that of the other miners. The Chinese were mocked by Europeans for their clothing, long pigtails, and unusual ways of travelling in large groups. On top of this, the Chinese were hated for bringing the habit of opium smoking and types of gambling to Australia. The language barrier between the Chinese and Europeans prevented the two groups from communicating and understanding each other, and the Chinese were very much segregated on the goldfields.
The Chinese were seen by Europeans as a threat because they jeopardised their chances of finding gold. This was unfair to the Chinese, especially considering they were left to mine the land that Europeans had already dug. The Chinese miners were very industrious and prepared to work seven days a week, for much longer hours than the colonists. The colonists were jealous and angry about the hardworking ways of the Chinese. China people were unfairly stereotyped and depicted as evil or less than human. Anti-Chinese propaganda in newspapers and journals only fuelled the hate against Chinese people.
The Chinese were seen by Europeans as a threat because they jeopardised their chances of finding gold. This was unfair to the Chinese, especially considering they were left to mine the land that Europeans had already dug. The Chinese miners were very industrious and prepared to work seven days a week, for much longer hours than the colonists. The colonists were jealous and angry about the hardworking ways of the Chinese. China people were unfairly stereotyped and depicted as evil or less than human. Anti-Chinese propaganda in newspapers and journals only fuelled the hate against Chinese people.
rAcism towards inDigenous australians
Most of the migrants coming to the goldfields were European or British people with democratic mindsets. Although democracy was important to the colonists of Australia, it wasn't truly a democratic society because the Chinese people, and other groups of people, we're certainly not treated equally. The other group of people who were victims to discrimination were the people who had been living in Australia longer than anyone - the Aboriginal people. Indigenous Australians were pushed off their land that the was mined by immigrants and their traditional hunting grounds were destroyed. They struggled to maintain their traditional lifestyle. Aboriginal Australians were considered inferior by the Europeans and had been victims of prejudice ever since Australia was colonised by England in 1788. There was a significant cultural barrier between the European and Aboriginal people and many Europeans ridiculed and abused Indigenous Australians.
While many white Australians treated Aboriginal people awfully, others were sympathetic. In 1853, a correspondent wrote to the Gold Diggers’ Monthly Magazine:
"The poor aborigines are sadly neglected and degraded. By begging or bark cutting they obtain money at the mines, and wretches are always found ready to take their cash and give them fire-water. Cases of intemperance abound in their tribes. Their revelries and quarrels disturb the camp at night, and disease, misery, violence and even murder follow in the train. We were horrified at the sight of an expiring blackfellow – the victim of the preceding night’s drunken fracas."
While many white Australians treated Aboriginal people awfully, others were sympathetic. In 1853, a correspondent wrote to the Gold Diggers’ Monthly Magazine:
"The poor aborigines are sadly neglected and degraded. By begging or bark cutting they obtain money at the mines, and wretches are always found ready to take their cash and give them fire-water. Cases of intemperance abound in their tribes. Their revelries and quarrels disturb the camp at night, and disease, misery, violence and even murder follow in the train. We were horrified at the sight of an expiring blackfellow – the victim of the preceding night’s drunken fracas."
the White australia policy
Federation of Australia occurred in 1901 when the six colonies united to become one country. Amongst other reasons, a major factor for the federation movement was the need for a common immigration policy. At the time, 98% of people in Australia were white and political leaders were determined to keep Australia white. One of the first pieces of legislation passed by the Australian Government was the Immigration Restriction Act 1901. The Act's primary function was to prevent the influx of non-European migrants. This Act formed the cornerstone of the "White Australia Policy" - an extremely racist ideal that was based on the belief of white superiority.
An anti-Chinese cartoon published on the 10th of May 1888, depicts Victoria using federation to eliminate "The Chinese Pest":
An anti-Chinese cartoon published on the 10th of May 1888, depicts Victoria using federation to eliminate "The Chinese Pest":
indiGenous Rights
At the time of federation, Aboriginal people were denied Australian citizenship, meaning they did not have the rights to vote, to be included in an electorate or to be counted in a census. They also did not receive the same social security benefits or equal wages, and couldn't access government funded services such as education. While some minor improvements were made to the rights of Indigenous Australians, it wasn't until 1962 that they were given the right to vote. In 1967, a referendum was held in Australia. The Referendum received an overwhelming "yes" vote, with over 90% of Australians voting to change the following sections of the Constitution:
51. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:-
...(xxvi) The people of any race, other than the aboriginal people in any State, for whom it is necessary to make special laws.
127. In reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth, or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, aboriginal natives should not be counted.
The results of the Referendum meant that Aboriginal people were included in the census and allowed laws to be made by the Commonwealth government for Aboriginal people. Although Aboriginals still faced racism in Australia after, the 1967 Referendum it finally allowed Aboriginal people to be treated as citizens of Australia.
51. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to:-
...(xxvi) The people of any race, other than the aboriginal people in any State, for whom it is necessary to make special laws.
127. In reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth, or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, aboriginal natives should not be counted.
The results of the Referendum meant that Aboriginal people were included in the census and allowed laws to be made by the Commonwealth government for Aboriginal people. Although Aboriginals still faced racism in Australia after, the 1967 Referendum it finally allowed Aboriginal people to be treated as citizens of Australia.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Bagnall, K. (2013). A legacy of White Australia: Records about Chinese Australians in the National Archives [Internet]. National Archives of Australia. Available from: [Accessed 8th September 2015]
Hoban, S. (2008). Immigration and Population [Internet]. SBS, Australia. Available from: [Accessed 7th September 2015]
Thompson, S. (2007).1901 Immigration Restriction Act [Internet]. Migration Heritage Centre, NSW. Available from: [Accessed 10th September 2015]
*Unknown author. (2015). The 1967 referendum – Fact sheet 150 [Internet]. National Archives of Australia. Available from: [Accessed 8th September 2015]
*Unknown author. (2013). Resource Sheet 1 - Road to Federation [Internet]. Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra. Available from: [Accessed 12th September 2015]
Unknown author. (2012). The White Australia Policy [Internet]. NSW Government, Department of Education. Available from: [Accessed 11th September 2015]
Webb, K. (2008). Analysing Australia History. Cambridge Press, Port Melbourne.
*Primary sources
Bagnall, K. (2013). A legacy of White Australia: Records about Chinese Australians in the National Archives [Internet]. National Archives of Australia. Available from: [Accessed 8th September 2015]
Hoban, S. (2008). Immigration and Population [Internet]. SBS, Australia. Available from: [Accessed 7th September 2015]
Thompson, S. (2007).1901 Immigration Restriction Act [Internet]. Migration Heritage Centre, NSW. Available from: [Accessed 10th September 2015]
*Unknown author. (2015). The 1967 referendum – Fact sheet 150 [Internet]. National Archives of Australia. Available from: [Accessed 8th September 2015]
*Unknown author. (2013). Resource Sheet 1 - Road to Federation [Internet]. Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra. Available from: [Accessed 12th September 2015]
Unknown author. (2012). The White Australia Policy [Internet]. NSW Government, Department of Education. Available from: [Accessed 11th September 2015]
Webb, K. (2008). Analysing Australia History. Cambridge Press, Port Melbourne.
*Primary sources