Subject-specific learning materials (Part 1)

• Worksheet 1: Table - The Push and Pull Factors
• Worksheet 2: The Cultural Divide
• Worksheet 3: Timeline Activity
• Worksheet 4: Anti-Chinese Media
• Worksheet 5: Create a model of the Gold Field
• Worksheet 6: Video - The Mandarins of New Golden Mountain

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Worksheet 1: Push and Pull Factors

Access your resources centre to find information about China in the mid to late 1800’s.

Make a list of the living conditions suffered by the people of China at this time and their causes. These are your push factors.

Brainstorm reasons why these people might want to come to Australia, in particular. These are your pull factors.

• Download PDF: 'Push and Pull Factors' Table (4k)

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Worksheet 2: The Cultural Divide

In small group, fill in the following Venn diagram to demonstrate those aspects of life (cultural/economic/social/political) that the Chinese and the Australian diggers shared, (Nb: These should be listed where the ovals intersect).

Then, list those aspects of life in which they differed, (Nb: list these in their respective ovals).

• Download PDF: Venn Diagram (4k)

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Worksheet 3: Timeline Activity

Go to the website Racism No Way and access their timeline of the history of racism in Australia. Extract all entries related to the Chinese in Australia. In the space provided below, construct your own timeline of the ‘History of the Chinese in Australia’.

• Download PDF : Timeline (4k)

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Worksheet 4: Anti-Chinese Media

Source 1

“I would protest against the introduction of them from their having low mental and bodily powers and half savage habits, utterly unfit for assimilating with a nation of such a boosted degree of civilization as our own. And I would ask, will the idol-mongers promote our Christianity? Will the almond-eyed yellow-skins improve our race? Will the habits of viciousness of the Celestial Empire advance Australia? Not very likely…”

The Armidale Express, 1857

Source 2

“The people of Australia have declared emphatically that they will be a nation of white men. White in skin pigment and white as to standards of life.”

The Bulletin, 4 July 1907 The Bulletin, 1886 Boomerang, 14 July 1888

Focus Questions:

1. What were the reasons given or implied by the media in support of banning Chinese immigration?
2. Was there any substance to these allegations?
3. What did the various newspapers have to gain by persecuting the Chinese?
4. How could/does the media influence public opinion?
5. Should the media be held accountable for the images it creates? How?

Source 3

Source 4

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Worksheet 5: Create a Model of the Goldfield

Individually collect all the information you can about life on the goldfield. Include information about:

• Accommodation
• Food and water supplies
• Laundry and cleaning
• Toileting
• Medical assistance
• Clothing
• Pets
• Entertainment
• Security
• Claim markers
• Topography

In this activity, you can choose whether you would prefer to present the information you have collected as:

(a) a 300-500 word written description
(b) a 3 minute multimedia presentation
(c) a 3D model (plasticine, plaster of paris, etc)
(d) a drawing/painting on posterboard
(e) a 3-4 minute song/ballad that you must perform

Display, read or present your interpretation to your peers explaining each of the features of your work.

(Nb: These works will be evaluated and revised after your excursion to Mount Morgan).

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Worksheet 6: Video – “Mandarins of the New Golden Mountain” (available from the John Oxley Library)

Questions:

1. What brought the Chinese to Australia in the first place?
2. Describe how the poor Chinese were able to pay for passage to Australia.
3. Describe the sea voyage.
4. What happened when they arrived?
5. How did the first Chinese migrants arrive?
6. What was the original ‘Golden Mountain’?
7. What were La Trobe’s concerns about the Gold Rush in Victoria?
8. At Forest creek, there were __________ people living on 4 square kilometres.
9. What was the economic cost of the Gold Rush?
10. Who instigated a Royal Commission to find out about the conditions under which the Chinese diggers were transported to Australia?
11. What was the British Passenger Act? Did it have much effect?
12. What did the Chinese experience on arrival in Australia?
13. Were the Chinese on the Gold Field really uncivilized? Why did the Australian diggers think so?
14. How did the media view the Chinese on the Goldfield? What evidence does the video show of this?
15. What did the Chinese do to incur such hatred from the Australian diggers?
16. In your opinion, was this hatred justified? Explain.
17. How did the Inquiry into the Eureka Stockade institutionalize discrimination in the Australian colonies?
18. Why was the Australian Natives Association formed?
19. What contributions have the Chinese made to the culture and economy of Australia?
20. List the legislation that was created by various Australian governments that legitimized and institutionalized racism in this country.