How and why australia became a
How and why australia became aIt could be argued that Australia becoming a Federation was a stupid thing to do but most people agree that it was a great idea. In the next few paragraphs, the reasons how and why Australia became a Federation will be discussed. Some of the reasons 'why' are trade (NSW/Victoria rivalry), communication and fear of invasion by Germany.
On January 1, 1901, Australia's six self-governing colonies became states in an "indissoluble Federal Commonwealth." In other words, January 1st, 1901, is when Australia became a Federation. For over fifty years many individuals had dreamed of this and occasionally false starts were made, but it wasn't until the 1890's that the Federation movement gathered momentum. The inauguration of the Commonwealth was the end of a chapter in Australia's history as well as the start of a new one.
The need for Federation was a consequence of the sub-division of Australia in the first half of British settlement. The first colony, NSW, at one stage included 2/3 of the continent but Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland were gradually carved out of it. WA and SA were founded as entirely seperate colonies. Each small community fought and won its own battle for survival and growth.
There was talk of Federation from the early 1840's when the colonies still functioned seperately and there was a rivalry between NSW (who believed that trade should be free) and Victoria (who believed a tax...
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