Racism During the Gold Rush
Although the idea of democracy and equality were the foundings of the Ballarat Reform League, the exclusion of particular races and ethnicities, including the barely existing treatment and acknowledgements of each other's differences, meant that the democracy desired was never really a democracy at all.
Racism Against the Chinese
There were many nationalities present on the goldfields, with the vast majority being Australian-born or from parts of Britain, which then included Ireland. There were also a number of Californians and groups from various places of Europe. Racism was very much prevalent during the gold rush and the majority of the white population maintained a dislike for other cultures, particularly the Chinese. The Chinese were subjected to racial discrimination due to their appearance, including braided pigtails and strange clothing, which consisted of long tops that reached their knees and no shoes. They were also deemed to be "aliens" because they worshiped a religion other than Christianity, spoke Chinese, gambled and had the habit of smoking opium. Some even went so far to suggest that the Chinese were all homosexuals, as the majority had not brought any women with them. However, one of the main reasons for racial abuse was that the Chinese offered cheap labour and were more consistent in their techniques when finding gold, so therefore the settlers felt threatened over losing their jobs. |
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The Lambing Flat Riots
Riots were not uncommon threats the Chinese experienced. During riots, the Chinese were beaten, driven away and many of their possessions were destroyed. In November, 1860, 500 Chinese had been chased away, and early in 1961, two Chinese were murdered with a dozen others wounded by small groups of white settlers. The Lambing Flat Riots occurred in southern NSW, on the 30th of June 1861, and are known as the most violent anti-Chinese riots of all time. A group of 2000, many of whom were drunk, crowded around Chinese miners at the Chinese camp at Back Creek. The mob sung, chanted and yelled, waving pick axes, banners, spades, whips and even guns. More than a thousand Chinese fled and took refuge at a nearby property, where James Robert fed and sheltered them for several weeks. Others who could not escape faced brutality; many were beaten and had their pigtails ripped out of their scalp. The official death toll is unknown.
Due to the pressure of the people's views, the government created anti-Chinese laws in the 1870s and 1880s. Violence, wrongful arrest, commitment to a lunatic asylum, forced vaccination, eviction from properties or farms they had built up and refused permission to re-enter Australia were the common treatments deemed appropriate to the Chinese. |
The White AustraliaPolicy and
the 19 67 Referendum
These preconceived ideas led to the White Australian Policy of 1901, a policy that prohibited any other race other than white people to own land and vote in elections. The Chinese weren't the only race seen as a threat to mainstream Australia. An oppressive system of control for the Aborigines developed as a form of government "protection". Employment was limited and if employed, pay was much less than the average Australian rate. Aboriginal children were often removed and placed in an institution. If Aborigines owned any savings or property, other people, also known as "protectors", monitored and managed these assets. Those who lived on government reserves were not allowed to leave without permission. This policy continued until the aftermath of WWII, when it began to dismantle due to the arrival of migrants from countries all over the world. ,The 1967 Referendum, which gave Australian Aboriginal citizenship and rights to vote in the federal election. It had passed easily, with 90.77% of votes. voting "Yes". Rallies, campaigns and marches were held to support this idea of equality. It was only until 1972 when multiculturalism was properly recognised as a full political introduction, 100 years after the first anti-Chinese laws. Today, as others celebrate the 26th of January, also known as Australia Day, the Aboriginal Australians view this date as a "Day of Mourning", marking hundreds of years of white dictatorship. |
References:
Coupe, R. (2000). Australia's Gold Rushes. New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
Horne, D., Irving, H. (2000). Why Are We Celebrating 2001?. New South Wales Centenary of Federation Commitee, NSW.
Lambing Flat Roll Up Banner. (c.1860). "Roll up - No Chinese": Gold rush labour movement miners' riots.
S.T. Gill. (1862). Might Versus Right, watercolour painting. Europeans attack a group of Chinese.
Thomas, J. (2004). Shaping Australia: Gold Rush. Watts Publishing Australia and New Zealand, Alexandria, NSW.
Unknown Author. (2015). Lambing Flat Riots [Internet] National Museum of Australia, Canberra. Available from: http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/collection_interactives/endurance_scroll/harvest_of_endurance_html_version/explore_the_scroll/lambing_flat_riots
(Accessed 7/5/2015)