Member-only story

The Land Of Dreams: How Australians Won Their Freedom 1788 1860 (Australian Liberalism 1)

Boris Pasternak

·8k Followers· Follow

Published in Francis S Barry

5 min read

1.4k View Claps

94 Respond

Save

Listen

The story of how Australians won their freedom is a complex and fascinating one. It is a story of struggle, sacrifice, and determination. It is a story of a people who fought for their rights against a powerful empire. And it is a story of how liberalism, as a political and social ideology, played a key role in shaping the development of Australian society.

The Early Years: 1788-1820

The first British settlers arrived in Australia in 1788. They came to establish a penal colony, and the early years of European settlement in Australia were marked by harsh and authoritarian rule. The British authorities used convict labour to build roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. And they enforced a strict code of discipline on the convicts, which included flogging, hard labour, and even execution.

Conditions in the penal colony were so harsh that many convicts died or escaped. But some convicts managed to survive and build new lives for themselves. They learned to live off the land, and they began to develop a sense of community. Over time, this sense of community grew stronger, and the convicts began to demand better treatment from the British authorities.

The Land of Dreams: How Australians Won Their Freedom 1788 1860 (Australian Liberalism 1)

The Land of Dreams: How Australians Won Their Freedom, 1788–1860 (Australian Liberalism Book 1)

by Francis S. Barry

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8556 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	774 pages

The Rise of Liberalism: 1820-1850

In the 1820s, a group of liberal reformers began to emerge in Australia. These reformers were influenced by the Enlightenment ideas that had swept Europe in the 18th century. They believed in the importance of individual liberty, limited government, and the rule of law.

The liberal reformers began to campaign for a more just and humane society in Australia. They called for an end to the harsh convict system, for better treatment of the Aboriginal people, and for the establishment of a representative government.

Their efforts eventually paid off. In 1850, the British Parliament passed the Australian Colonies Act, which gave the Australian colonies the right to self-government. This was a major step forward for the Australian people. It allowed them to elect their own leaders and make their own laws.

The Struggle for Federation: 1850-1901

The Australian colonies grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century. They developed their own economies, cultures, and political systems. But they remained separate and independent entities.

In the 1890s, a movement began to grow for the federation of the Australian colonies. The federalists believed that a united Australia would be stronger and more prosperous than a group of separate colonies.

The federalists faced strong opposition from some quarters. Some people feared that federation would lead to the loss of local autonomy. Others worried that it would create a new central government that would be too powerful.

But the federalists eventually won out. In 1901, the six Australian colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This was a momentous event in Australian history. It marked the birth of a new nation, and it set the stage for Australia's future as a modern, democratic society.

Legacy

The story of how Australians won their freedom is a reminder of the importance of struggle, sacrifice, and determination. It is a story of how a people fought for their rights and achieved their goals. And it is a story of the power of liberalism as a force for progress and social change.

The principles of liberalism continue to shape Australian society today. They are reflected in our laws, our institutions, and our way of life. And they are a reminder of the long and arduous struggle that Australians have endured to win their freedom.

Timeline of Key Events

1788: First British settlers arrive in Australia.
1820s: Liberal reformers begin to emerge in Australia.
1850: British Parliament passes the Australian Colonies Act, which gives the Australian colonies the right to self-government.
1890s: Movement begins to grow for the federation of the Australian colonies.
1901: Six Australian colonies federate to form the Commonwealth of Australia.