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Source Analysis
Student activities
Task no. 1
Federation Leaflet
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
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
Question:
- Briefly describe the role played by Henry Parkes in the move towards Federation.
Task no. 4
Sir George Reid
Question:
- Briefly describe the role played by George Reid in the move towards Federation.
Task no. 5
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
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
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
Questions:
- What is the message in lights on the top of the Sydney Town Hall?
- What did it mean?
Task no. 9
Federation Parade
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
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.