Post World War Two migration to Australia
Learning Intentions: Learn about post WW2 migration to Australia, particularly from those who migrated from Europe and discuss reasons why people migrated. What impacts did post war migrants have on Australia.
Success criteria: 1. Understand the motivations/drives for migration in the context of post WW2 Europe. 2. Develop an understanding of who migrated to Australia and where they came from. 3. Compare the experiences of Post war migrants to earlier settlers/convicts/gold rush miners etc.
Italian Migration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qY CPM3oAZY
Demand for migration had a political dimension. The Chifley government’s policy was “populate or perish”. Particular concern over Asian threats, especially following the Japanese involvement in WW2. Economic growth and opportunity meant Australia needed workers. Rampant unemployment in Europe meant plenty of willing workers for other countries. Joe Greenberg, 1949 Retrieved from: https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/246191
“Mongolian Octopus—Its Grip On Australia” Bulletin (Sydney, Australia) August 21, 1886 Ron Thornton Retrieved https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/c gi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&co ntext=cola_ug_research
Group task Migrant groups: Italians Greeks Germans British Dutch Consider why these groups may have migrated – economic/polticical reasons among others. Research and find information on your group to present to the class.
Migrant arrivals in Sydney, 1947 Migrant arrivals in Sydney, 1947. National Archives of Australia, 1/1947/4/2A. Retrieved http://www.nma.gov.au/online_features/d efining_moments/featured/post- war_immigration_drive Ford Madox Brown, The Last of England (1855) http://www.bmagic.org.uk/objects/1891P24
Final reflections Post War migration was highly influential in Australia’s history. Key part of national identity of multiculturalism and diversity. Similarities in experiences and motivations for migrating peoples across both 19th and 20th centuries. Issues relating to racism not addressed until the 1966 Migration act.