History

Topic 2 - Depth Study: Australia: Making a nation – from Federation to WWI (1889 – c. 1919)

Rationale: This core depth study will provide a critical examination of the foundation of modern Australia, from the self-governing colonies to its pivotal role in WWI. Students will analyse the political, social, and cultural forces that shaped the nation, focusing on the movement to Federation and the subsequent defining impact of the war.

The depth study will develop key historical skills: students will trace continuity and change, and critically analyse primary sources (like Federation records and WWI propaganda) to evaluate their purpose and context. They will investigate the complex perspectives of nation-building, comparing the idealism of the new Commonwealth with the exclusionary realities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and migrants. This ensures students understand early civic participation and can communicate ideas about this crucial period with historical clarity.