Australian Civil Right Key people
Who led the 1965 Australian Freedom Rides and became a prominent Aboriginal activist?
Charlie Perkins
What report, released in 1997, investigated the Stolen Generations?
Bringing Them Home Report
What term describes the government policy of removing Aboriginal children from their families?
Stolen Generations
What campaign aimed to include Aboriginal people in the census?
1967 Referendum
What international document declared rights for all people in 1948?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
What was the group that led the freedom rides in Australia called?
Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA)
What happened in Moore?
Protest against segregation in public pools. Media coverage of this town shocked the nation
Were Aboriginal families given a choice about where their children lived?
Aboriginal families were often not given a choice about where their children lived. Many children were forcibly removed from their families during the Stolen Generations period.
What protest highlighted racism in country NSW towns by travelling to them in a bus?
Australian Freedom Rides
Explain the difference between a primary and secondary source. Provide examples of each
Primary sources give direct evidence about an event, while secondary sources offer interpretation or analysis based on primary sources.
Primary source: Photograph, diary entry, interviews, speeches
Secondary: Textbooks, documentaries, movies, newspaper article.
Who played a major role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and represented Australia at the UN?
Herbert Evatt
What is the United Nations?
This international organisation was created in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation between countries. Australia was one of its founding members
Describe the meaning and impact of the term "Stolen Generations".
The Stolen Generations refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families under government policies, leading to deep intergenerational trauma and cultural loss.
Describe the purpose and actions of the 1965 Freedom Rides in Australia.
Led by students including Charlie Perkins, the Freedom Rides aimed to expose racism in rural NSW. They visited towns, protested discriminatory policies, and raised public awareness.
Describe the role of the United Nations in shaping Australia’s approach to human rights after WWII.
Australia was a founding member of the UN and supported the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It influenced Australia to reflect more on its own treatment of Indigenous peoples.
Which Torres Strait Islander man’s land rights case led to the landmark Mabo decision in 1992?
Eddie Mabo
What was created in 1945
The year the United Nations was officially established
Explain how the policy of assimilation affected Aboriginal communities in Australia.
Assimilation policies aimed to absorb Aboriginal people into white society, often leading to loss of culture, language, and identity. It justified child removals and denied the right to live according to traditional customs.
Explain how the 1967 Referendum changed the legal and political status of Aboriginal Australians.
The Referendum allowed the federal government to make laws for Aboriginal people and included them in the census. Although it didn’t grant rights directly, it was a major step toward equality.
Explain the purpose and impact of the Bringing Them Home Report (1997).
The report documented the experiences of the Stolen Generations and revealed the widespread harm caused by forced removals. It made key recommendations for reparations, apologies, and ongoing support, influencing public debate and reconciliation efforts.
What does human rights mean? Can you think of one example
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, simply because they are human. These rights apply to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, nationality, religion, or background. E.g. Right to education, right to freedom etc
Perkins used direct action and protest (e.g., Freedom Rides) to highlight racial discrimination including non violent protests, pickett lines, sit ins, and media coverage.
Compare and contrast the policies of Assimilation and Self-determination in their impacts on Aboriginal communities.
Assimilation sought to erase Indigenous identity by integrating people into white society, often forcibly. Self-determination promotes Indigenous control over their affairs and culture. One disempowered; the other empowers.
What was protectionism
The protectionism policy restricted freedoms, broke up families, and attempted to control and erase Indigenous culture, all under the excuse of "protection." It caused long-lasting trauma and injustice for Aboriginal communities.
Explain what makes a source limited, valuable and reliable.
A limited source has restrictions or biases that reduce its usefulness. It may be incomplete or missing information, and may be inaccurate.
A valuable source provides important, unique information. It is usually a primary source
A reliable source is trustworthy and accurate. This is due to the authors expertise and knowledge, free from bias or exaggeration and may be supported with evidence.