The development of contemporary Australian identity

From 1812-1853 convict ships were sent from England to Australia and over the 50 years about 67000 convicts were transported there. About 14492 were Irish but many of them had been sentenced in English and Scottish courts. Some were also tried locally in other Australian colonies. The transportation ships had very poor conditions for the convicts. Prisoners were housed below decks on the prison deck and further confined behind bars. In many cases they were restrained in chains and were only allowed on deck for fresh air and exercise. Conditions were cramped and they slept on hammocks. Although the eleven ships of the first fleet arrived with their cargo of 780-odd convicts in relatively good conditions, the same cannot be said for those that followed during the rest of the century. Of the 1000-odd convicts sent on the second fleet, 260 or more died during the voyage. Many were diseased when they embarked and those who managed to survive the voyage were severely weakened by scurvy, dysentery and fever. On subsequent voyages the story was not much different and the treatment of the convicts was often a disgrace. Private merchant ships were contracted to transport convicts and their masters looked for ways to improve their profit margins by withholding the convicts` rations, keeping them chained below decks without fresh air and inflicting harsh and cruel punishment in an attempt to maintain discipline. Although official complaints were made after the fact, justice was never seen to be done.

For the first one third of Australia`s modern history the majority of white Australians were either convicts or the offspring of one. These held a strong dislike for authority, which is still present in elements of today`s society. With the offspring of the transported convicts, known as “currency lads” and “lasses”, the national identity first emerged. They were not as amoral as most thought they would be, given that their parents were, in the eyes of the British Government, hardened criminals. A relaxed, stylish and environmentally adapted Currency Lads appeared to be. Visitors to Australia in 1830-1850-s noticed some characteristics of these Australians. They seemed to be “strong, tall, slender with a distinctive accent”. It was also reported that an unusual amount of swearing coloured their speech. But a feature that struck most visitors was the egalitarianism, the belief that each man was equal. “Jack was as good as his master”. This saying was very popular and very unlike Britain. With gold rushes of 1850-s the emerging national identity was stifled. A flood of new immigrants arrived from the USA and China. On the gold fields the belief that all men were equal was strengthened. On the gold fields the chances of finding gold were not determined on who a person was. On the gold fields many poor people became rich.

In 1860-1870-s national feeling was positively associated with the Bushrangers. Most bushrangers were native born or of Irish descent. The bushrangers were admired because they defied authority and at times made them look stupid. They were held up as symbols of struggle against Britain and the government. They were also thought to be courageous and patriotic. By the 1880-s three quarters of Australia`s population had been born in Australia. This fact became an important reason of nationalism and patriotism. In 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. Australia for the first time fought as a nation. This evoked a sense of pride in all Australians. On the battlefields in Turkey and in France the Australian identity further emerged. Courage on the fields at Gallipoli, resourcefulness, fellowship, independence and egalitarianism were typical of Australian soldiers. They were also noticed for not showing the respect to British officers. The Australian soldiers served Australia proudly and with their return to Australia came the recognition that Australia was at last a nation.