Factors that Led to Abolition of Assimilation Policy in Australia - Essay Example

Factors that led to Abolition of Assimilation Policy in Australia Name Course Date Factors that led to Abolition of Assimilation Policy in Australia Introduction In the years before and after World War II, there were growing concerns as to the policies adopted by the Australian government. This was in relation to the assimilation policy adopted by the government of Australia. This policy was viewed as racist as it never recognised communities that were not white or from European countries and in particular Britain. Assimilation refers to a scenario where individuals from various backgrounds and cultures adopt a single culture and practices. Therefore, in Australia the assimilation policies were aimed at individuals who were not white or from Britain. The aim of this policy was to ensure that Australia, which at the time was comprised of large British descendants maintained their British culture.1 According to the then Australian government, allowing other cultures into Australian culture would lead to depletion of the Australian culture. Therefore, to ensure the continuous existence of the Australian culture, other cultures were not recognised. This meant that even indigenous individuals would not be recognised by the Australian government. Additionally, immigrants of non-British origin would also have to adopt the white Australian culture and abandon their culture if they were to be recognised. Therefore, the only way for such individuals to be recognised they had to abandon their cultures and embrace the white Australian culture. Once they embraced the white Australian culture they would then qualify to be Australia citizens. However, this policy would later face formidable opposition from indigenous people as well as immigrants to Australia. The International community also pressured Australia into abandoning the policy as it was perceived to be racist. These factors in conjunction with other factors led to Australia abandoning the assimilation policy that had been in existence for more than fifty years.2 This paper looks at the various factors that could have contributed to the abolition of assimilation in Australia. Factors leading to dismantling of assimilation policy The main purpose for introduction of the assimilation policy in the first place was to try and prevent non-white individuals from migrating to Australia. This is because such individuals would be forced to abandon their cultures and embrace the Australian white culture. Additionally, the assimilation policy was seen as a way of preventing the erosion of Australian white culture by native culture. This would arise as a result of intermarriages between white Australian and native Australians. Therefore, to safeguard their culture the Australian government introduced assimilation. Assimilation required that non-white individuals abandon their cultures and embrace the white culture. This policy would rule Australia for many years, but around 1950-1972, the policy would cease to have application in Australia. One of the factors that led to the dismantling of the policy was the increase levels of poverty experienced by the native Australians.3 This was attributed to the fact that the assimilation policy limited movement of native Australian and non-white individuals. Additionally, the policy hindered employment of individuals who were yet to be assimilated. This meant that native Australians could only earn a living from their farms, which proved even difficult as they were not allowed to own land. Therefore, the native Australian languished in poverty a they had no ways of earning a living. As the poverty levels plummeted so did crime levels. Numerous attacks on the homes of white Australians were reported, and those who engaged in these attacks were mainly Australians of native origins and non-white individuals. This was attributed to the lack of employment for such individuals, and the only alternative they had was to engage in criminal activities to cater for their needs.4 This was further heightened by instances whereby non-white children were separated from their parents and subjected to foster care. These children faced numerous challenges such as physical abuse, which led to many of them becoming rebellious. Those that became rebellious would later find themselves involved in criminal activities across Australia. This led to growing concerns to have such actions, which were supported by the White Australia Policy, stopped. In addition to poverty and crime, churches and non-governmental organisations played a vital role in the dismantling of assimilation policies in Australia. Such organisations conducted mass demonstrations seeking the Australian government to abolish the assimilation policy. Most of the churches and organisations involved comprised mostly of native Australians and non-white individuals. This made such organisation hard to ignore as they mobilised large numbers. Native Australian and non-white individuals used these platforms to advance their rights such as citizenship. The white policy did not recognise native individuals despite the fact that they had lived in Australia generation after generations. Therefore, this made it difficult for the native Australians to exercise rights that a citizen would enjoy. As these groups became vocal, they attracted other larger forces such as institutions, academics, and the media in the fight against assimilation. These larger forces had the capability to communicate the message to a wider audience, thereby making it easier to address their grievances. This created an atmosphere of unease as it put Australia in the limelight of which it could not bear the negative attitude it received. Additionally, these groups exposed the various effects the white Australian policy had on the non-white individuals. Furthermore, these groups lobbied for a multicultural Australia as opposed to one culture as was the case with the assimilation policy. This meant that Australia should embrace and accept other cultures as part of Australian identity. In doing so, individuals that were non-white were capable of maintaining and practicing their ethnic traditions without fear of discrimination. These groups also lobbied for the abolition of the dictation test whose main objective was to prevent unwanted immigrants from settling in Australia. The abandonment of the dictation test would pave the way for Asian students study in Australia.5 These steps led to the dismantling of the assimilation policy that has been in existence, in Australia, for over fifty years. In addition to churches, lobby groups and institutions, there are notable individuals who are accredited to have played a significant role in the dismantling of assimilation policies in Australia. One such individual is the then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Whitlam was open to the idea of having Australia as a multicultural nation rather than one culture nation as was the intention of assimilation policy. Being the Prime Minister it became easier for the laws and regulations relating to immigration in Australia to be amended. His efforts would bear fruits because in 1972 the White Australia Policy which governed immigration in Australia would cease to apply. This meant that the Aboriginal individuals would enjoy similar rights and privileges afforded to white Australians. This also meant that Australia would a multicultural state embracing and protecting the cultures of each and every Australian equally.6 The dismantling of the assimilation policy in Australia could also be attributed to the shifting dynamics of the world in relation to race. After the World War II, the perspective of individuals in regards to race started taking shape.7 There was increased pressure on nations to curb the ongoing conflict regarding the race of individuals. This was meant to ensure that each individual would be accorded the same rights no matter their race. Australia whose majority population was white was subject to international criticism. This was attributed to the White Australia Policy which to large extent was deemed racist. Therefore, this made it difficult for Australia as a government to support the policy. The policy only recognised white individuals meaning that any other individual who as not white was inferior. Therefore, this led to segregation whereby non-white individuals were not allowed to associate with white individuals. Additionally, non-white individuals lacked the capacity to qualify as citizens of Australia.8 This proved to be a formidable hurdle as they could not own land which led to many Aboriginals being evacuated from their ancestral lands. The pressure from the international community and lobby groups would see Australia formulating a legislation that would criminalise racial discrimination. This legislation afforded equal right to each and every individual in Australia despite their race. Therefore, this meant that the Aboriginal population would obtain citizenship by virtue of them being native Australians. Additionally, immigrants that qualified for citizenship would be awarded citizenship and allowed to relate with the whites. The passing of this legislation made it clear that assimilation would no longer have application within Australia. Economic relations with Asian countries could also be attributed to the dismantling of assimilation policy in Australia. This is because after the Second World War Asian countries started to grow tremendously. This was evidence in their growing economies with some such as China and Japan creating a name for themselves in terms of economy.9 This proved to be a threat to Australia who at the time controlled the economy around the region. However, the assimilation policy proved to be a significant hindrance to Australia as it affected the relationship that existed between them and the Asian countries. This is because Asian countries were against the policy assimilation as they felt that it citizens were not accorded proper treatment by Australia. Therefore, in an effort to improve their economic ties with the Asian countries Australia started flexing its policy. This was evident when Australia permitted Asian students to study in Australia 1958 something that was not possible in earlier years. Additionally, the decline of trade between Australia and Britain meant that it was left with the option of trading with Asian countries. Additionally, Asian countries provided a large market for exports from Australia as a result of their large populations. However, in order to tap into this market, it was deemed wise that Australia abandon the assimilation policy. This made Australia more appealing to Asian countries thus facilitating trade with Asia countries.10 Political parties also played a vital role in the dismantling of assimilation policy in Australia. The most vocal political parties were the Labour Party and the Liberal Party. These parties were characterised by rising politician who opposed the old guard’s support for White Australia Policy. However, these individuals were faced with difficulties in manifesting their ambitions as they lacked the control over their parties, whose control remained with old guards. This did not deter these new generation of politicians who brought havoc and confusion within the political parties, unsettling the old guards.11 This further created awareness for a need to have the White Australia policy dismantled. Immigration reformers capitalised on the unrest in political parties in drumming support for the abolition of White Australia Policy. The war against White Australia policy finally came to a conclusion in 1972 when the Labour Party won the elections. The elected Prime Minister, was among those in the Labour Party who were against the White Australia Policy and, used this opportunity to wipe out White Australia Policy.12 Conclusion In conclusion, assimilation policy was created to benefit the white Australians of British origin while undermining other races. This led to many non-white individuals especially the aboriginal society to suffer greatly. This could be attributed to the fact that the policy did not recognise the rights of the aboriginals and other non-white individuals. However, the policy would later cease to have application in Australia as a result of various factors. Some of the major factors such rising poverty and crime levels among the aboriginals created awareness of their suffering leading to call for the dismantling of the assimilation policy. Additionally, the involvement of churches and lobby groups further put pressure on the Australian government to have the assimilation policy dismantled. Not forgetting the role played by political parties especially the Labour Party under whose guidance was the assimilation policy dismantled entirely. The shifting dynamics of the world in regards to racism meant that it was difficult for Australia to continue supporting the policy. This is because assimilation policy affected the relationship of Australia and other nations especially from Asia who are its neighbours. Therefore, the combination of all these factors is what led to the dismantling of the assimilation policy which governed Australia for more than fifty years. This led to Australia becoming a multicultural state that aims to protect the identity of all its citizens and afford equal right to everyone despite their colour or race. Bibliography Armitage, Andrew. Comparing the Policy of Aboriginal Assimilation: Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2011. Carey, Jane. Creating White Australia. Sydney: Sydney University Press, 2009 Crotty, Martin and Roberts David Andrew (ed). Turning Points in Australia History. Sydney: UNSW Press, 2009. Elder, Catriona. Dreams and Nightmares of a White Australia: Representing Aboriginal Assimilation in the mid-twentieth Century. Bern: Peter Lang, 2009. Galligan, Brian and Roberts Winsome. Australian Citizenship. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 2004. Haebich, Anna. Spinning the Dream: Assimilation in Australia 1950-1970. Perth: Freemantle Press, 2008. McGregor, Russell. Indifferent Inclusion: Aboriginal People and the Australian Nation. Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press, 2011. Rowse, Tim and Nile Richard. Contesting Assimilation. Perth: API Network, 2005. Thranhardt, Dietrich and Bonnes Michael (ed). National Paradigms of Migration Research. V&R unipress GmbH, 2011. Read More