In the late 19th century, the people of the different British colonies in Australia voted to unite as one nation. When the Commonwealth of Australia was officially formed in 1901, what was the primary change to the political status of these colonies?
- They became states within a federal system, maintaining their own governments while sharing power with a new national parliament.Answer
- BThey were abolished as separate entities and all local governing powers were transferred to the British Parliament in London.
- CThey remained completely independent countries but agreed to use the same currency and national anthem under a voluntary trade treaty.
Answer
Upon Federation in 1901, the six colonies became states within a federal system, meaning they kept their own identities and governments but shared authority with the new national (Federal) government.
The correct answer is correct because the 1901 Federation turned the six separate colonies into states of a single nation. This established a federal system where the states maintained their own identities and governments while sharing power with the newly created Commonwealth Parliament as outlined in the Constitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The transformation of colonies into states within a federal system (Federation).
Hints
1
Think about whether the colonies disappeared completely or if they just changed their name and how they related to each other.
2
Consider the term 'Federation'. It implies a union where power is shared between a central government and local governments.
3
On 1 January 1901, the colonies became 'States'. This change allowed them to stay in control of local issues while the new 'Commonwealth' handled national issues like defense.
Practice More
Review the specific responsibilities of the Federal government versus State governments to better understand how this 'sharing of power' works in practice.
Estimated Time:1m 15s