The 1901 Federation was a complex constitutional transition that transformed the governance of the Australian continent. According to the Australian Constitution, how did the legal status and governing power of the six British colonies change when they united to form the Commonwealth of Australia?
- They became states within a federal system, maintaining their own individual parliaments and constitutions while sharing power with a new national government.Answer
- BThey were unified into a single administrative body, resulting in the permanent dissolution of all colonial-era parliaments to ensure a single, central law for all Australians.
- CThey were reorganized into territories where the Governor-General was granted the final authority to appoint all local government leaders and state officials.
Answer
The colonies became states within a federal system, maintaining their own individual parliaments and constitutions while sharing power with a new national government.
The Federation of 1901 created a federal system. This means that while the six colonies united to form one nation (the Commonwealth of Australia), they did not lose their individual identities. Instead, they became 'states' and kept their own parliaments and constitutions to manage local responsibilities like hospitals and schools, while the new national government took over responsibilities like defense and immigration.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The Federal System of 1901
Hints
1
Think about whether Australia has one parliament or many. Does your state have its own government?
2
Federation means 'coming together' but sharing power. It doesn't mean the original parts disappear.
3
The colonies became 'states' in 1901. A key part of the Constitution is that these states kept their own laws and parliaments.
Practice More
Research the specific areas of power that the Constitution gave to the Federal government versus those left to the State governments (the Division of Powers).
Estimated Time:2m 0s