South Sea Islanders
Approximately 55, 000 to 62, 000 South Sea Islanders were recruited to Australia during 1863 to 1904. The majority were forced out of their homes and others were bribed with things such as mirrors, knifes and other possessions that assist with their survival. The South Sea Islanders migrated to Queensland and northern New South Wales from over 80 Pacific Islands. They were known as the ‘Kanakas’ which is a Hawaiian word that defines to ‘man’. South Sea Islanders had a huge impact on Australia but were treated poorly and went through a high level of racism and general discrimination. This essay will present an overview of the historical and social contributions, their importance and lastly their employment role, beginning with how they aided Australia. The south sea islanders contributed to Australia, specifically Queensland in various ways yet they were poorly treated in return. Their contributions included working as sugar slaves; they were transported as cheap slaves to work in the sugar industry after working in cotton fields. South sea islanders also played a significant role in the development of farming, grazing and the maritime industry. They were provided …show more content…
The majority of the south sea islanders were blackbirded or deceived into coming. The minority that chose to migrate did not know what was to come. They were treated just as horribly as the others who were forced; they were all obliged to sign contracts that they couldn’t read since it was all in English. Regarding the people that were deceived into coming they were usually lured in with mirrors, knifes and other possessions that they believed would help them survive. 50, 000 people who were mostly men and relatively women had come from 80 Pacific Islands which encompassed Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. South sea islanders were mainly blackbirded to work in Cotton fields but by 1868 most were recruited to work on sugar
Approximately 55, 000 to 62, 000 South Sea Islanders were recruited to Australia during 1863 to 1904. The majority were forced out of their homes and others were bribed with things such as mirrors, knifes and other possessions that assist with their survival. The South Sea Islanders migrated to Queensland and northern New South Wales from over 80 Pacific Islands. They were known as the ‘Kanakas’ which is a Hawaiian word that defines to ‘man’. South Sea Islanders had a huge impact on Australia but were treated poorly and went through a high level of racism and general discrimination. This essay will present an overview of the historical and social contributions, their importance and lastly their employment role, beginning with how they aided Australia. The south sea islanders contributed to Australia, specifically Queensland in various ways yet they were poorly treated in return. Their contributions included working as sugar slaves; they were transported as cheap slaves to work in the sugar industry after working in cotton fields. South sea islanders also played a significant role in the development of farming, grazing and the maritime industry. They were provided …show more content…
The majority of the south sea islanders were blackbirded or deceived into coming. The minority that chose to migrate did not know what was to come. They were treated just as horribly as the others who were forced; they were all obliged to sign contracts that they couldn’t read since it was all in English. Regarding the people that were deceived into coming they were usually lured in with mirrors, knifes and other possessions that they believed would help them survive. 50, 000 people who were mostly men and relatively women had come from 80 Pacific Islands which encompassed Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. South sea islanders were mainly blackbirded to work in Cotton fields but by 1868 most were recruited to work on sugar