The development of Australia Self-government granted to Australian colonies Chinese coolie immigration. Stopped by law in - Gold rushes Formation of Federation of Australia, with six states Canberra established as capital - Two million Europeans migrate to Australia The economic development of Australia under European settlement was not as varied as in America. Vast sheep farms and mining stations were established over a long period and with much labour, followed by vineyards and wheat farming. These came to form the basis of the country’s prosperity.
When the states were united, and it was decided that a new capital would be built for Australia in , one name suggested for it was Woolwheatgold! Ultimately, it was called Canberra (= kamberra, a native word meaning ‘meeting place’). Some natives were employed in farms, under conditions of work so harsh that it was little different from slavery. Later, Chinese immigrants provided cheap labour, as in California, but unease about being dependent on non-whites led to the governments in both countries to ban Chinese immigrants.
Till , such was the popular fear that ‘dark’ people from South Asia or Southeast Asia might migrate to Australia in large numbers that there was a government policy to keep ‘non-white’ people out. ACTIVITY In , it was announced that New Delhi and Canberra would be built as the capital cities of British India and of the Commonwealth of Australia. Compare and contrast the political situations of the native people in these countries at that time.