Question

Difficulty: MediumVictoria

Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states in Australia. During the 1850s, a major historical event led to rapid population growth and the development of grand buildings in its capital city, Melbourne. What was this significant event?

  1. A
    The arrival of the First Fleet
  2. The discovery of goldAnswer
  3. C
    The federation of the colonies

Answer

The discovery of gold was the event in the 1850s that led to rapid growth and the construction of grand buildings in Melbourne, Victoria.
The discovery of gold in the 1850s is the correct answer because it triggered a massive influx of migrants and created immense wealth, which was used to build the grand, historic architecture found in Victoria's capital, Melbourne.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the geographic and temporal context
Location: Victoria (mainland state); Time: 1850s.
The question specifies a location and a timeframe that are key to identifying the correct historical event.
2
Recall major historical events for Victoria in the 1850s
The Victorian Gold Rush began in 1851.
This was the primary driver of economic and population growth in the region during that decade.
3
Connect the event to the development of Melbourne
Wealth from gold mining funded the 'Marvellous Melbourne' era of architecture.
The prosperity from gold directly resulted in the grand public buildings still visible in Melbourne today.

Key Concept

The impact of the 1850s gold rush on Victoria's growth and capital city.

Hints

1
Think about a valuable mineral that was found in the ground during the mid-1800s.
2
This event is often called a 'rush' because so many people hurried to the area to seek their fortune.
3
The wealth from this discovery earned Melbourne the nickname 'Marvellous Melbourne' in the late 19th century.

Practice More

Review the history of other states to see how their growth periods differed from Victoria's gold-driven expansion.
Estimated Time:45s
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