Week Seven Response

The reactions to the discovery of gold in Australia and what affect it would have on its future varied across society. The main reason for this variation was the different class, position, social status or gender of the person whom was considering the future. Although many had a positive outlook on what gold would do for the nation, there were also some anxieties about what shape the future society would take.  Of particular concern for Australians was the cultural make up of the nation which they believed should reflect true British ideals.

Many of the lower classes saw the discovery of gold as a way to better themselves. Gold moulded Australia into a land of limitless possibility, where any man could improve their position in society. The most obvious avenue that these dreamers saw was to gain an unprecedented level of wealth which could then be converted into better property, and better chances at better jobs, thus creating a higher standing for themselves in society. Others in the lower classes saw the chance to create a more democratic society where the egalitarianism of the gold field could also be reflected in the wider social order. These ideals can be seen in the document “The political demands of the diggers” which outlines the changes they hold most dear including but not restricted to a full and fair representation,  manhood suffrages and the short duration of parliaments. All key elements to the future that they wanted for Australia.

The upper classes of society in particular feared the affect that a society born out of the mining rush would have on the nation’s future.  Their key fear was the imbalance in gender ratios. Aside from the problems associated with having a shortage of women for continued expansion. Many people deplored the behaviour of the diggers and the lasting affects this could have on society. It was widely believed at the time that women moderated the behaviour of menfolk. Therefore there simply weren’t enough women to exert this calming influence. Russel ward writes that converts to a faith are prone to be more fanatical than those who are born to it. In this way each successive wave of immigrants who came to the diggings became filthier and cruder. The upper classes feared that if this trend were to continue then future society of Australia would be one of loose morals. They envisaged widespread gambling drinking and prostitution.

Another darker image of the future Australia that took shape during this time was the reaction against the immigration of around 40 000 Chinese people. The policy and reactions that resulted from this influx of a people so clearly foreign to the white majority of Australia reflect poorly on race relations at the time.  From the anti Chinese rebellions at Lambing flat and Buckland one can see evidence of early racism which was to be carried on into the migration acts in the 1950s designed to discourage non white, but particularly Chinese immigration. This then follows through to the white Australia policy which existed for in various laws in Australia for the majority of the 20^th century. Australia was for the white race as E.J.Brady clearly demonstrates from his writings in the bulletin. “Over great plains their horses had galloped- north, south, east and west they had been staking a continent for the white race.” A reflection that can also be seen in the way the government dealt with Australia’s aboriginal people. 

The Lambing Flat riots of 1861 marked one of the cultural lows of early Australia. In this painting "Might Versus Right" by S.T.Gill we can see white miners cutting off Chinese pigtails known as queues. http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/objectsthroughtime/lambingflatsbanner/