Immigration to Australia- Jemima Stafford
Many multicultural people came to Australia in the gold rush. A majority being Chinese, American and Irish. And of course a large sum of people were originally English and a few came to look for instant riches.
Chinese Immigrants
A lot of the Chinese immigrants were contracted to willing agents who would pay for their voyage. These payments took many years to repay if the miners didn't get lucky. If they did though, they would often send money back to their families to help with their poor lifestyle.
By 1861, the Chinese were thriving, making up 7% of the population at the time. One of their most cultural areas being Melbourne's Little Bourke Street.
But when the gold started to run short, the Chinese pursued many different careers, such as, working in an exporting business, medicine, laundry operations and cabinet making. Or they would often become farm hands or open a small grocer shop.
Then during the 1850's, Chinese were unofficially restricted along with other non-European cultures. In 1901, the government then passed a law called the 'Immigration Restriction Act', or better known as the 'White Australian Policy'. This clearly hindered the entrance of multicultural people. Due to the new law, many Chinese protested, a couple being Loius Ah Mouy and Lowe Kong Meng. Who both stated that the Chinese population were doing lots for the wider community. The policy was finally lifted in the 1970's.
Irish Immigrants
Another large group of immigrants were the Irish, who were the largest group of people after the English. To put it into perspective, over 1 in 4 people were Irish. One of the main reasons besides the hope for riches, was the disastrous potato famine.
Many of the Irish men worked as whalers, fishermen, farmers, farm hands, labourers and factory workers.
Between 1850 and 1890, many of the Irish groups were made up of equal amounts of men and women, to many people's surprise. This is because most of the other cultures only had men come to the country, but the Irish women were equally as hungry for their chance of easy money.
Potato Famine
The potato famine was one of the worst events in Irish history, taking up 6 whole years. It started on 1845, with Ireland holding a population of roughly 8 million people. During the famine over 1 million men, women and children died, many from sickness or starvation. Throughout the event, over 1 million people fled the country, going to different places such as England or Scotland.
Although having such an immense population, the Irish country as a whole was seen as a very poor one, only about one quarter being able to read and write.
As many people think, potatoes aren't actually from Ireland. There originally came from Peru, a Spanish explorer bringing them to England. This eventually got to Ireland who found that it was easy and simple to grow potatoes in their environment.
The potato famine began in America, the was discovered in France. The disease that took over the potato was called 'phytophthora infestans', and a scientist advised a way to rid the potato of the disease. He said to apply a mix of chloric acid, manganese dioxide and salt to the bad part of the potato. This cure most likely also killed many people who were desperate for a cure.
The government in London didn't initially think to help, but soon realised that the Irish couldn't handle the famine. They sent over £5,000 worth of corn, but this was useless to the £3,500,000 worth of potatoes that were lost.
The population diminished immensely, many either dying or migrating to another country in hopes of something better.
Chinese Immigrants
A lot of the Chinese immigrants were contracted to willing agents who would pay for their voyage. These payments took many years to repay if the miners didn't get lucky. If they did though, they would often send money back to their families to help with their poor lifestyle.
By 1861, the Chinese were thriving, making up 7% of the population at the time. One of their most cultural areas being Melbourne's Little Bourke Street.
But when the gold started to run short, the Chinese pursued many different careers, such as, working in an exporting business, medicine, laundry operations and cabinet making. Or they would often become farm hands or open a small grocer shop.
Then during the 1850's, Chinese were unofficially restricted along with other non-European cultures. In 1901, the government then passed a law called the 'Immigration Restriction Act', or better known as the 'White Australian Policy'. This clearly hindered the entrance of multicultural people. Due to the new law, many Chinese protested, a couple being Loius Ah Mouy and Lowe Kong Meng. Who both stated that the Chinese population were doing lots for the wider community. The policy was finally lifted in the 1970's.
Irish Immigrants
Another large group of immigrants were the Irish, who were the largest group of people after the English. To put it into perspective, over 1 in 4 people were Irish. One of the main reasons besides the hope for riches, was the disastrous potato famine.
Many of the Irish men worked as whalers, fishermen, farmers, farm hands, labourers and factory workers.
Between 1850 and 1890, many of the Irish groups were made up of equal amounts of men and women, to many people's surprise. This is because most of the other cultures only had men come to the country, but the Irish women were equally as hungry for their chance of easy money.
Potato Famine
The potato famine was one of the worst events in Irish history, taking up 6 whole years. It started on 1845, with Ireland holding a population of roughly 8 million people. During the famine over 1 million men, women and children died, many from sickness or starvation. Throughout the event, over 1 million people fled the country, going to different places such as England or Scotland.
Although having such an immense population, the Irish country as a whole was seen as a very poor one, only about one quarter being able to read and write.
As many people think, potatoes aren't actually from Ireland. There originally came from Peru, a Spanish explorer bringing them to England. This eventually got to Ireland who found that it was easy and simple to grow potatoes in their environment.
The potato famine began in America, the was discovered in France. The disease that took over the potato was called 'phytophthora infestans', and a scientist advised a way to rid the potato of the disease. He said to apply a mix of chloric acid, manganese dioxide and salt to the bad part of the potato. This cure most likely also killed many people who were desperate for a cure.
The government in London didn't initially think to help, but soon realised that the Irish couldn't handle the famine. They sent over £5,000 worth of corn, but this was useless to the £3,500,000 worth of potatoes that were lost.
The population diminished immensely, many either dying or migrating to another country in hopes of something better.
Bibliography
MUSEUMVICTORIA.COM.AU
Origins: History of immigration from China - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia
In-text: (Museumvictoria.com.au, 2015)
Bibliography: Museumvictoria.com.au, (2015). Origins: History of immigration from China - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia. [online] Available at: http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=9 [Accessed 8 May 2015].
MUSEUMVICTORIA.COM.AU
Origins: History of immigration from Ireland - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia
In-text: (Museumvictoria.com.au, 2015)
Bibliography: Museumvictoria.com.au, (2015). Origins: History of immigration from Ireland - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia. [online] Available at: http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=30 [Accessed 8 May 2015].
HISTORYPLACE.COM
The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Introduction
In-text: (Historyplace.com, 2015)
Bibliography: Historyplace.com, (2015). The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Introduction. [online] Available at: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/introduction.htm [Accessed 8 May 2015].
HISTORYLEARNINGSITE.CO.UK
The Great Famine of 1845
In-text: (Historylearningsite.co.uk, 2015)
Bibliography: Historylearningsite.co.uk, (2015). The Great Famine of 1845. [online] Available at: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ireland_great_famine_of_1845.htm [Accessed 8 May 2015].
MUSEUMVICTORIA.COM.AU
Origins: History of immigration from China - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia
In-text: (Museumvictoria.com.au, 2015)
Bibliography: Museumvictoria.com.au, (2015). Origins: History of immigration from China - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia. [online] Available at: http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=9 [Accessed 8 May 2015].
MUSEUMVICTORIA.COM.AU
Origins: History of immigration from Ireland - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia
In-text: (Museumvictoria.com.au, 2015)
Bibliography: Museumvictoria.com.au, (2015). Origins: History of immigration from Ireland - Immigration Museum, Melbourne Australia. [online] Available at: http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=30 [Accessed 8 May 2015].
HISTORYPLACE.COM
The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Introduction
In-text: (Historyplace.com, 2015)
Bibliography: Historyplace.com, (2015). The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Introduction. [online] Available at: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/introduction.htm [Accessed 8 May 2015].
HISTORYLEARNINGSITE.CO.UK
The Great Famine of 1845
In-text: (Historylearningsite.co.uk, 2015)
Bibliography: Historylearningsite.co.uk, (2015). The Great Famine of 1845. [online] Available at: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ireland_great_famine_of_1845.htm [Accessed 8 May 2015].