Displacing Indigenous Peoples — History STD 11 Humanities — Question
CBSE BoardEnglish MediumSTD 11 HumanitiesHistoryDisplacing Indigenous Peoples3 Marks
Question
Write a description about the winds of change in Australia.
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Answer
Several factors were responsible for the winds of change in Australia. An account ofthe factors responsible for winds of change are listed below:
The Europeans were very hostile towards the natives of Australia. Since a longtime, they (Europeans) made no sincere efforts to improve their conditions. In their literature, the Europeans portrayed themselves superior as compared to the natives. In 1968, W.E.H. Stanner published a book entitled "The Great Australian Silence" that encouraged the Europeans to trace and understand the historical roots of the natives of Australia.
Henry Reynolds in his book, "Why Weren't We Told" criticised the tradition of writing of Australian history. According to the Europeans, the history of Australia began with its discovery by Captain Cook. He believed that the study of native culture and civilization must be encouraged. His ideas inspired the Europeans to know about historical antecedents of the natives.
The Europeans established separate department in universities to study the culture of the natives. To understand the local culture they also established museums and galleries of native art. Undoubtedly, it was a commendable step. It encouraged the Australia government to adopt the policy of multiculturalism. It aimed at providing equal respect for the culture of natives.
A great Australian writer, Judith Wright spearheaded a powerful movement for the rights of the natives. She was of the opinion that the policy of keeping the whites and the natives separate€ may pose a great threat to the coming generation. She wrote many impressive poems which had intense effects on the hearts of People.
The natives realised that the Europeans had made no agreement with them. It was due to this fact that the Australian government always used to call the land, Terra Nullius, which means that land belongs to none. This verdict recognised their claims of natives over the land prior to 1270.
There was also a long and agonising history of children of mixed blood that was being forcibly captured and separated from their native relatives. These children were denied all sorts of rights.
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