On the eighteenth of January 1788, the first fleet arrived in Botany Bay, marking the beginning of a multicultural nation founded on migrants. Throughout Australia’s history migration has continued, with one of Australia’s largest migratory era’s occurring post World War two. This period saw some six million migrants arrive in Australia. These migrations however, were affected greatly by race biased policies. These policies included the white Australia policy and government assisted schemes aiming at create a white Australia. The ‘White Australia’ attitude however, was not abolished with the policy in 1965, altering modern Australia’s populous and national identity.
Post world War two, Australia was in a state of devastation, having lost …show more content…
Chain migration, beginning in the 19th century, was a system of self-funded migration and was Italians’ primary mode of entry into Australia. Chain migration involved people from certain towns settling in the same place in Australia. This was done to forge a sense of security and as a way of creating community in a new place. This however was a strenuous and costly process, often breaking families up for years, and in some cases decades. Migration was a lengthy and expensive process. A third class passage alone cost 202 pounds, roughly $404 AUD today. In the 1950’s however Italy was recovering from Mussolini 's fascist rule. The countries economy was in a state of inflation, greatly affecting the already low income, which has been estimated according to the GDP to be around $3,425 per year. This meant that buying one ticket would account for one-seventh of the yearly income. Usually the father came to Australia, often with a brother, found work and settled saved to bring over the rest of the family. This process often separated families for as much as twenty years. An Assisted Passage Scheme was introduced in 1951, whereby the Australian Government paid for fares and accommodation in migrant camps in exchange for several years employment. Between 1951–1968 over 42,000 Italians arrived under this scheme. One emigrant family, the Derossi’s, recounted their move to Australia and how they were …show more content…
With some social norms remaining comparable to the white Australia Policy it is evident that there is still a preconception of non white races evident. The ideal of white Australia formed the basis upon which Australian national identity in the period 1880-1914 rested. National identity is a socially constructed idea, synthesising the population of a country. From early Australian history ‘white’ ideals have been evident. Often, a country reflects cultural and social ideals. Australia, which consists of a 92% white population clearly mirrors the nations ideals. The origins of Australian national identity can be found in the shared traits of its inhabitants. The late nineteenth-century Australian population was largely embodied by emigrants mainly originating from the Britain, or of British descent, the majority of the populace sharing a common language, history, and customs. Aggregated identification as British defined the nations identity of a country settled, engaged and lead by lineage of the British monarch furthering the social norm of white Australia. Shared heritage provided common ground to develop national identity and values. Identification as white descendants of the British empire became the basis for unity in Australia. These ideals have continued into modern Australia society with racism and prejudice
Post world War two, Australia was in a state of devastation, having lost …show more content…
Chain migration, beginning in the 19th century, was a system of self-funded migration and was Italians’ primary mode of entry into Australia. Chain migration involved people from certain towns settling in the same place in Australia. This was done to forge a sense of security and as a way of creating community in a new place. This however was a strenuous and costly process, often breaking families up for years, and in some cases decades. Migration was a lengthy and expensive process. A third class passage alone cost 202 pounds, roughly $404 AUD today. In the 1950’s however Italy was recovering from Mussolini 's fascist rule. The countries economy was in a state of inflation, greatly affecting the already low income, which has been estimated according to the GDP to be around $3,425 per year. This meant that buying one ticket would account for one-seventh of the yearly income. Usually the father came to Australia, often with a brother, found work and settled saved to bring over the rest of the family. This process often separated families for as much as twenty years. An Assisted Passage Scheme was introduced in 1951, whereby the Australian Government paid for fares and accommodation in migrant camps in exchange for several years employment. Between 1951–1968 over 42,000 Italians arrived under this scheme. One emigrant family, the Derossi’s, recounted their move to Australia and how they were …show more content…
With some social norms remaining comparable to the white Australia Policy it is evident that there is still a preconception of non white races evident. The ideal of white Australia formed the basis upon which Australian national identity in the period 1880-1914 rested. National identity is a socially constructed idea, synthesising the population of a country. From early Australian history ‘white’ ideals have been evident. Often, a country reflects cultural and social ideals. Australia, which consists of a 92% white population clearly mirrors the nations ideals. The origins of Australian national identity can be found in the shared traits of its inhabitants. The late nineteenth-century Australian population was largely embodied by emigrants mainly originating from the Britain, or of British descent, the majority of the populace sharing a common language, history, and customs. Aggregated identification as British defined the nations identity of a country settled, engaged and lead by lineage of the British monarch furthering the social norm of white Australia. Shared heritage provided common ground to develop national identity and values. Identification as white descendants of the British empire became the basis for unity in Australia. These ideals have continued into modern Australia society with racism and prejudice