On January 1, , the separate British colonies in Australia united to form a single nation under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. What happened to the status of these colonies as a result of this union?
- They became the states of the Commonwealth of Australia.Answer
- BThey were dissolved to create one single territory without local governments.
- CThey remained separate British colonies but shared a common defense force.
Answer
The colonies became the states of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The correct answer is that the colonies became the states of the Commonwealth of Australia. Federation was the process where the six separate colonies (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania) agreed to unite under a central government while maintaining their own regional identities as states.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The process of Federation in transformed separate British colonies into the states of a single nation, the Commonwealth of Australia.
Hints
1
Consider what the word 'Federation' implies about the relationship between a central authority and its parts.
2
Think about whether Australia today has a single government or if it also has state governments like those in Queensland or Victoria.
3
Before , they were called colonies. After , the same geographic areas needed a new name within the nation.
Practice More
Review the reasons why the colonies decided to federate, such as defense, trade, and immigration.
Estimated Time:45s