History Notes PDF

Lesson 1: Purpose and Significance of the UDHR - Activity 1: Video of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - Promote better standard of life - 10th December 1948, UDHR was adopted - Great Revolutionary Process - Determine historic sign...

Lesson 1: Purpose and Significance of the UDHR - Activity 1: Video of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - Promote better standard of life - 10th December 1948, UDHR was adopted - Great Revolutionary Process - Determine historic significance of an event - “All humans are born free in liberty and equal in dignity and rights” - 30 Articles Listing Rights - Rights for Everyone - Declaration has adopted the action of human rights protection - Inspired nation and regional human rights protection - Declaration is through 500+ countries - Establish rights that all people are entitled to - Activity 2: Posters Summarising Decisions - Political - Equal Protection - Seek Legal Help - Fair and Public Trial - Innocent until proven guilty - Right to Vote - Education - Right to Education - Sustenance - Own property - Seek Asylum - Right to a Job - Leisure and Rest - Worker’s Rights - Social - Marriage and Family - Gather a peaceful assembly - Social Security - Nationality - Religion - Social Order - Travel - Security  - Right to Privacy - Social Security - Intellectual Property Lesson 2: Day of Mourning & Protests - From the late nineteenth century, Indigenous Australians made repeated attempts to have their traditions and rights recognised - Indigenous Australaians boycotted a public holiday known as ‘Anniversary Day,’ because Indigenous Australians were excluded from public life and largely ignored - The Australian Aboriginal League (Victoria) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (NSW) had been petitioning for civil rights for Indigenous Australians - The Day of Mourning and Protest is remembered as one of the most historically significant events in the struggles for Indigenous civil rights in Australia. - Australia commemorates also 150 years of misery and degradation imposed on the original native inhabitants by white invaders of the country - It was a powerful statement that introduced white Australians to an alternative view of their history Lesson 3: Struggles for Rights - Changing Policies - Terra Nullius: a Latin term meaning land belonging to no one’ or ‘empty land’; a concept used by the British to justify the settlement of Australia based on the idea that Indigenous Australaians did not own the land or possess any claim to it. - Dispossession: to deprive a person or people of land and property; when the British colonised Australia in the eighteenth century, large numbers of Indigenous Australians were dispossessed of their ancestral lands, hunting grounds and water resources; they were also cut off from their spiritual and cultural heritage as a result of dispossession. - Tribal groups were destroyed, and the cultural traditions of the people disappeared. - As they became dispossessed they became dependent. Their labour was exploited and many family groups were destroyed. - Aboriginals believe that 2 forms of kingship are central to their lives - bond to the land and family. - Protectionism  - The idea that Aboriginal Australians needed to be separated from white Australians and ‘protected’ for their own good. - Originated from the theory of ‘Paternalism’. Based on the idea of patriarchy, that there is a figurehead who makes decisions on behalf of others for their own good, even if it is contrary to their wishes. - Placed in reserves or missions- controlled by Christian churches, were a way of providing support for the Aboriginal people. BUT the forced removal from their traditional lives to a style imposed on them by white Australians- broke their central bond of their culture. - Policy of segregation (keeping people apart) – discrimination and control – created remote isolated Aboriginal communities. - These communities had no right to vote, no right to receive the basic wage or pension- and restrictions on their private life. It was also at this time that children were taken away (stolen generation) - Reserves and Missions - Mission: a settlement established (usually by Christian missionaries) to convert Indigenous people to Christianity and assimilate them into European culture and beliefs. - Reserve: a settlement established in Australia to move Aboriginal people away from European settlements, and to assimilate them into European culture and beliefs. - Contestability - In the present United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: - Killing members of the group; - Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; - Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about it physical destruction in whole or in part; - Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; - Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group - Contestability: Accusations of cultural genocide are very serious and are frequently contested. It is important to always consider the perspectives of those involved in any historical contestation to understand what they have at stake. - Assimilation - By the 1930s it was clear that Aboriginal people were not dying out and that the number of mixed blood children was in fact increasing- federal govt. brought in a new policy assimilation. - Aboriginal people - accept the way of life of white Australians. It was the idea that Aboriginals should be ‘absorbed into mainstream’ Australian culture, removed from reserves and missions and become like white Australians.  - This policy was based on the belief that Aboriginal culture and way of life was inferior. Were expected to assimilate but were not given the same rights so they were able to do so- serious discrimination and racism- difficult to find work and were denied access to many public venues. - Segregation: In Australian history, this refers to the government policy and practice of separating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from European settlers. - Assimilation: the process by which a minority group adopts the language and customs of a dominant population; in Australia in the mid-twentieth century, assimilation of Indigenous Australians into white society became official government policy. - Integration - 1960s demands for reforms- the idea that Aboriginal people should assimilate and abandon their culture was under challenge. - In 1965, at the Aboriginal welfare conference the definition of assimilate was again changed. Assimilation now meant ‘all persons of Aboriginal descent will choose to attain a similar manner and standard of living to that of other Australians’. Were not required to lose all their customs and culture= integration. - Suggested a greater acceptance of Aboriginal people with their SAC becoming part of the wider Australian SAC. - Self Determination - When the Whitlam government came to office in 1972 the word self-determination became the new name for govt. policy on Aboriginal Australians. This meant that Aboriginal people were to have full control over all things that affected their lives. It meant they were no longer a dying race, to be protected or assimilated, rather they were full and equal citizens to all other Australians. Lesson 4: Stolen Generations - From the late 1910s to the 1970s, many thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed into state care and raised in Missions, Aboriginal Children’s Homes or placed with white families. These children are now referred to as the Stolen Generations. - Why were children removed from their families? - The same attitudes that state and federal authorities had when they officially adopted an assimilation policy in 1937 contributed to the forced removal of children from their families. This was the belief that if mixed-race children could be brought up in a ‘white’ community, their ‘Aboriginality’ could be overcome and their ‘white’ attributes would shine through. Unfortunately, these children often ended up being rejected by European communities and  had difficulties reconnecting with their immediate and extended Aboriginal families and communities. - Full-blooded Indigenous children were also removed from their families and put into state-run institutions where they were prepared for unskilled and semi-skilled work. In New South Wales, for example, the Cootamundra Girls’ Home trained girls to be domestic servants, and the Kinchela Boys’ Home trained boys to work on farms and be labourers. Evidence has since emerged of severe abuse suffered by children in these homes. Lesson 5: Stolen Generations - Bringing Them Home - Bringing Them Home is the 1997 Australian Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. The report marked a pivotal moment in the controversy that has come to be known as the Stolen Generations. The inquiry was established by the federal Attorney-General, Michael Lavarch, on 11 May 1995, in response to efforts made by key Indigenous agencies and communities concerned that the general public's ignorance of the history of forcible removal was hindering the recognition of the needs of its victims and their families and the provision of services. The 680-page report was tabled in Federal Parliament on 26 May 1997. Lesson 6: Stolen Generation - The Apology - The National Apology to Stolen Generations was made on 13 February 2008, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on behalf of the government of Australia, gave a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. - Kevin Rudd’s seminal speech, now known as the 'National Apology' was delivered in The House of Representatives chamber in Parliament House, Canberra on 13 February 2008. Members of the Stolen Generations were invited to witness The Apology first-hand, while millions of other Australians watched in cities and towns across the nation. “Photographic and video records of those witnessing the Apology show sombre and reflective faces as the Prime Minister spoke of the wrongs governments had inflicted on Indigenous peoples across Australia and a huge wave of tears, relief and applause flowed when he finished speaking”. - The Prime Minister making a formal apology, on behalf of the Australian Government, for the laws and policies of the past was one of the key recommendations contained in the Bringing Them Home  Report (a national inquiry into the Stolen Generation that was published, more than a decade earlier, in 1997). The Apology brought more national visibility to the experiences of the Stolen Generations than ever before and was intended to be the catalyst for real movement towards reconciliation, equality and authentic parliamentary commitment to Indigenous Affairs. - Reconciliation: the act of coming to an agreement after a quarrel; in Australia the term is used to refer to the bringing together of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians; reconciliation is a process that involves working to overcome past divisions and address inequalities between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians. Lesson 8: US Civil Rights & Influence on Australia - The civil rights movement was a social movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in the country. The movement had its origins in the Reconstruction era during the late 19th century and had its modern roots in the 1940s. - Key Features in US Civil Rights - Desegregation: - The Civil Rights Movement aimed to end racial segregation, particularly in education, public facilities, and employment. - Key legal victories included Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. - Nonviolent Protest: - Activists used methods inspired by Gandhi's philosophy, including marches, sit-ins, and boycotts, to advocate for change. - Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. led peaceful protests, the most notable being the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. - Voting Rights: - Voting rights were a central focus, as many states used discriminatory practices to prevent Black Americans from voting. - The Voting Rights Act of 1965, a major legislative success, aimed to eliminate barriers to voting. - Civil Rights Legislation: - Major legislative milestones included the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which aimed to end discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing. - Black Power and Self Determination  - In the late 1960s, groups like the Black Panther Party emerged, emphasizing Black pride, economic self-sufficiency, and community self-defense. - This movement encouraged a more radical stance and called for cultural pride and empowerment beyond integration. - Key Movements in US Civil Rights - Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) - Sparked by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white person, this boycott became a catalyst for organized activism. - Freedom Rides (1961) - Black and white activists rode interstate buses together in the South to challenge segregation laws. They faced violence, but their actions brought national attention to the issue. - March on Washington (1963) - One of the largest political rallies, where MLK delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. It symbolized unity and the power of peaceful protest. - Selma to Montgomery Marches (1963) - Protesters marched for voting rights despite brutal police responses. This highlighted the violence Black Americans faced and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. - Black Panther Movement (1966) - Founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, the Panthers advocated for self-defense and community programs, challenging systemic racism and police brutality. - Influence of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement on Australia - Indigenous Rights Movement: - Inspired by the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Australia’s Indigenous population began to mobilize for equal rights, using similar tactics like sit-ins, protests, and legal advocacy. - Freedom Rides in Australia (1965): - Inspired by the American Freedom Rides, Australian activists like Charles Perkins organized a bus tour to expose segregation in rural New South Wales. This drew national attention to the poor treatment of Indigenous Australians. - Land Rights and Self-Determination: - The push for land rights for Indigenous Australians in the 1970s reflected the Black Power movement's emphasis on self-determination. In Australia, this led to policies recognizing traditional land ownership and native title claims. - The 1967 Referendum:  - Civil rights activism in the U.S. helped inspire the successful 1967 Australian referendum, which amended the Constitution to include Indigenous Australians in the national census and allowed the federal government to create laws for them. - Indigenous Legal and Advocacy Organizations: - Indigenous Australians established legal services and advocacy organizations in the 1970s, paralleling the U.S. Civil Rights Movement’s community programs to support marginalized groups. - Ongoing Impact on Social Justice Movements: - The U.S. Civil Rights Movement's strategies and values have continued to inspire Australian movements for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and asylum seekers’ rights. - The U.S. Civil Rights Movement left a profound legacy in Australia, leading to greater awareness and activism around Indigenous rights and equality. The influence continues to shape Australian social justice movements today. Lesson 9: Martin Luther King Jr Significant Individual - Martin Luther King Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King sought equality and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and all victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Lesson 10: Freedom Ride in Australia, 1965 - The Freedom Ride was a form of nonviolent direct action taken by a politically disparate coalition of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous University students on a bus. Its purpose was to witness, publicise and challenge segregation and racial discrimination against Aboriginal people in regional towns in New South Wales. - Activity 3: Video Notes - 29 University of Sydney Students  - Raising awareness of segregation, living standards, racism and contradiction. ‘Freedom Riders’ - Shine a spotlight on racism, housing, Aboriginal Health and Education - Lack of Awareness - Wasn’t an understanding the history of segregation - Walgatt 250 km East Moree impactful and one of the main spots. - Tons of opposition of Freedom Riders - Whilst in Moree the by laws changed but when they left the by laws were put back and enforced more - Weren’t violent and was just making a stand to change awareness Lesson 11: Significant Developments - The rights and freedoms of Indigenous Australians have undergone significant changes over the past century. In this topic, we will explore key events and movements that have shaped the fight for equality and justice, including the 1967 Referendum, the Land Rights movement, and more recent calls for constitutional recognition and a voice to Parliament. Today, we will explore how activism, legal changes, and government actions have improved the lives of Indigenous Australians, acknowledging both the progress made and the challenges that remain. Understanding these developments helps us appreciate the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and the importance of respecting the rights of all Australians.