Source Analysis

Topic: Australia as a Nation
Student activity

This is the student activity 1 of 1 of the The move to Federation learning activity.

Task No. 1

Federation Leaflet

Printed leaflets regarding Australian Federation, 15 June 1896-June 1899, collected by Rose Scott

Questions:

  • Does the author support or oppose Federation? How do you know?
  • What point of view does the author express about the impact of Federation on NSW? What reasons does he give?
Task No. 2

Letter to the electors

Letter to the Electors of South Sydney from James Martin

James Martin was born in Sydney in 1850. He was a senior partner in the firm James Martin & Co., hardware and machinery importers. He was the Member for South Sydney from 1889 to 1891, re-elected from 1891 to 1894, then for Sydney-Bligh from 1894 to 1895. He died in 1898.

‘I shall, if Elected, advocate Federation of the Australian Colonies, on a broad just & National basis; always making the proposed measure subject, not only to the decision of our Parliament, but to the vote of the people of our Colony as a whole.’

Questions

  • Does the author support or oppose Federation? How do you know?
  • What point of view does the author express about Federation?
Task No. 3

Sir Henry Parkes

Sir Henry Parkes, 1896
Sir Henry Parkes, 1887

Question:

  • Briefly describe the role played by Henry Parkes in the move towards Federation.
Task No. 4

Sir George Reid

Sir George Houston Reid, premier, prime minister and high commissioner

Question:

  • Briefly describe the role played by George Reid in the move towards Federation.
Task No. 5

Sir Edmund Barton

Sir Edmund Barton

Question: 

  • Briefly describe the role played by Edmund Barton in the move towards Federation.
Task No. 6

Members of the Australasian Federal Convention

Sir William McMillan - Correspondence, 1889-1901, with roll of members of the Australasian Federal Convention, 1897
First Commonwealth Ministry, 1901

Questions:

  • Compare source 6 and 7. Which of the members of the 1897 Australasian Federal Convention became Ministers in the first Federal government?
  • Who was the Prime Minister?

Ministers of the first Federal government

  • Barton, Edmund, Sir, 1849-1920
  • Budge, A. C.
  • Deakin, Alfred, 1856-1919
  • Dickson, James Robert, Sir (1832-1901)
  • Forrest, John, Sir, 1847-1918
  • Hopetoun, John Hope, Earl of, 1860-1908
  • Kingston, Charles Cameron, 1850-1908
  • Lewis, Neil Elliott, Sir, 1858-1935
  • Lyne, William J. (William John), Sir, 1844-1913
  • O'Connor, Richard Edward, 1851-1912
  • Turner, George, Sir, 1851-1916
Task No. 7

Swearing in Ceremony

At the Swearing in Ceremony

Question:

  • Why was the Governor General and not the Prime Minister 'sworn in' at the ceremony for Federation on 1 January 1901?
Task No. 8

Federation Day Celebrations

Town Hall at night

Questions:

  • What is the message in lights on the top of the Sydney Town Hall?
  • What did it mean?
Task No. 9

Federation Parade

Procession in Bridge Street
NSW float, Centenary of Federation parade, 2001

Questions: 

  • Compare both sources. Look carefully at the details in both.
  • How many similarities and differences can you find between the two?
  • Use the sources and your own knowledge to describe how Australia has changed since Federation in 1901.
Task No. 10

Invitation to attend a reception

Invitation to Francis Cotton to attend the Australian Commonwealth Celebrations

Questions:

  • For what event was the reception held?
  • When was it held?
  • Why was it held?
  • Who was invited to attend the reception?
  • Who were the guests of honour?
  • Why were they the guests of honour?
  • Where was the first Parliament held? Why wasn't it held in Canberra?
Task No. 11

For or Against?

Use the images above and your own research to design a poster that presents an argument for or against Federation.