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Difficulty: HardFederation of 1901 and the Commonwealth

Before 19011901, Australia consisted of six separate, self-governing British colonies. On January 1,19011, 1901, these colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. Which statement accurately describes the structural change in governance that occurred as a result of this Federation?

  1. The colonies became states within a federal system, sharing power with a new national government while maintaining their own individual constitutions.Answer
  2. B
    The individual colonies were completely dissolved and replaced by a single central government that holds all legal and administrative authority over the continent.
  3. C
    The colonies remained independent countries but formed a temporary military alliance under the British Monarch to manage defense and trade.

Answer

The colonies became states within a federal system, sharing power with a new national government while maintaining their own individual constitutions.
The correct answer accurately describes the federal nature of the union created in 19011901. The colonies did not cease to exist; instead, they transitioned into states. Under the new Constitution, they shared power with the newly created Commonwealth (national) government, allowing for local governance to continue alongside national administration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical status of the Australian landmass before 19011901.
Before 19011901, there were six separate British colonies (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania), each acting like an independent country with its own laws and defense.
Establishing the starting point is necessary to understand the 'change' requested.
2
Define the constitutional meaning of 'Federation' in the context of the Australian Commonwealth.
Federation meant these colonies agreed to unite under a single national Constitution while retaining their individual identities.
The term 'Federation' implies a union of partially self-governing states under a central government.
3
Determine the distribution of power established on January 1,19011, 1901.
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act created a federal system where the new national government took over specific responsibilities (like trade and defense) while the colonies—now called states—kept their own parliaments and constitutions for other matters.
This confirms the shared power structure which is the hallmark of the Australian federal system.

Key Concept

Federalism and the Division of Powers

Hints

1
Think about whether the states (like New South Wales or Victoria) still have their own governments today.
2
Federation was a 'union,' which usually means things come together but don't necessarily disappear completely.
3
The colonies changed their name to 'states' in 19011901 and kept their own parliaments while creating a new one in Melbourne (and later Canberra).

Practice More

Review the specific powers granted to the Commonwealth government in the Constitution versus those retained by the States.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Federation of 1901 and the Commonwealth

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