Transcript

Transcript:

Ansh: The Eureka Rebellion.

Gladson: Hello, at the end of this video, you will know all about the Eureka Rebellion and be able to answer the question, how did The Eureka Rebellion shape Australia's Democracy?

Ansh: Firstly, when and where was the Eureka rebellion?

On November 30, 1854 there was a meeting held on Bakery Hill. There, miners burnt their licences in protest and made an oath to fight against the police. On December 3, 1854 began the Eureka Rebellion on Ballarat East. The miners fought hard but they finally lost after a fiery 20 minutes.

Gabriel: Secondly,How did the Eureka Rebellion Start and what Happened?

The Eureka Rebellion was caused by disagreements over unfair laws and policing by the government. Miners during the gold rush were obliged by law to purchase a licence and have it carried with them at all times or else they would face a fine and arrest. The gold miners couldn't vote and could not own the land on which they worked. They felt the laws were unfair, and they were willing to fight for a change. A meeting was held and over 500 miners attended. They chose an Australian-Irish man by the name of Peter Fintan Lalor to become their leader. They gathered under the Eureka flag, bent down on to one knee and made an oath to fight alongside each other to defend their rights and liberties. They formed a wooden stockade and anticipated the main attack. The day came for the clash against the police. The miners had plotted their attack and defence adequately but they didn't stand a chance against the police who stood armed with powerful bayonets. After the fiery battle, about 125 of the miners were brought to jail and several more wounded. There were 6 police deaths and at least 22 miner deaths during the battle.

Gladson: Thirdly, What changed because of it and what did they accomplish?

The Eureka Rebellion was a crucial event towards democracy for Australia. Miners demanded the laws to change, which included: The ending of the licence and gold commission, vote for all males, etc. All the demands were met and they made a system where instead of paying for the possibility of finding gold, they paid tax on the gold they found. It is now viewed as the birthplace of Australia's political system due to the effects of the Eureka Rebellion.

Rhylee: Fourthly, How did it change the miner's Power?

Before, They were unable to claim the land where they worked which means that they could've been relocated immediately. They had to buy a licence and carry it with them at all times or they could be fined and arrested.The miners were fed up about the laws and wanted a change. The Eureka Rebellion was won by the police just before dawn on December 3rd, 1854, and most miners were taken into arrest. Within months, all the miners held for the trial were acquitted, except for one. The gold miners in Ballarat demanded various reforms, notably the abolition of the gold licence and the right to vote which were all accepted into law. A Royal Commission recommended that the licensing laws be replaced with a system where miners paid a tax on gold they found, instead of paying for the possibility of striking gold. Miners were also given the right to own the land on which they worked.

Ansh: Finally, We can answer the question: How did the Eureka Rebellion shape Australia's Democracy... The Miners felt that the current laws were unfair and so they all came together and fought for their own rights and liberties. Although the miners lost the battle, the effects of the Eureka rebellion created a path towards democracy for Australia.The miners had demanded several reforms including, the ending of gold licence, the right to vote, etc. There were several changes made to the Victorian Constitution that were all agreed to by the British Parliament.The Miners had the right to vote, freedom of speech and political equality. It is obvious the government cannot ignore the voice of the popular opinion and our democracy.