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Difficulty: MediumCreation and Federation (1901)

Before the year 19011901, the Australian continent was divided into six separate British colonies. Which of the following statements best illustrates how these colonies functioned before they united to form one nation?

  1. A
    They shared a single national government that managed their trade, defense, and postage.
  2. Each colony acted like a separate country with its own individual laws, defense force, and postage stamps.Answer
  3. C
    They were governed as a single, united territory under the direct leadership of one national Governor-General.

Answer

Each colony acted like a separate country with its own individual laws, defense force, and postage stamps.
Before Federation in 19011901, the six British colonies in Australia were separate and independent entities. They were often described as being like separate countries because each one had its own government, made its own laws, and maintained its own independent defense forces and postal systems (including their own postage stamps).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the political status of Australia prior to 19011901.
Australia consisted of six separate British colonies: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Understanding the starting point is essential to explaining why Federation was necessary.
2
Analyze how these separate colonies managed their own affairs.
The colonies operated independently, much like separate countries, maintaining their own legal systems, militaries, and even postal services.
This highlights the lack of a central authority before the Commonwealth was formed.
3
Identify the change that occurred during Federation.
The colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, transferring certain powers to a new national government while remaining states with their own parliaments.
This confirms that the 'united' or 'national' features described in the other options only appeared after 19011901.

Key Concept

Colonial Independence before Federation

Hints

1
Think about whether Australia was one country or several separate parts before 19011901.
2
Remember that before they united, each colony had to take care of its own protection and mail.

Practice More

Review the reasons why the colonies eventually decided that they would be 'stronger if they were one nation' for matters like national defense.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Creation and Federation (1901)

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