The Frontier Wars
What time period do the Australian Frontier Wars cover?
From 1788 to the early 20th century.
What was the primary role of the Native Police in the Australian Frontier Wars?
To suppress Indigenous resistance and assist in frontier expansion through force.
What is the definition of genocide according to the UN Genocide Convention?
Acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.
Who was Pemulwuy, and what was his role in the resistance? Which battle was he most well known for?
A Bidjigal warrior who led armed resistance against British settlers in the late 18th century. Known for the battle of Parramatta.
What are the "History Wars" in the Australian context? What are the two arguments of the History Wars?
A debate about how Australian history, particularly the treatment of Indigenous people, should be interpreted and taught. The Black Arm Band movement and Three Cheers argument.
What was the main cause of the Australian Frontier Wars?
Conflict over land and resources between Indigenous Australians and European settlers
Who typically commanded the Native Police units?
European officers, often former military or settlers, who led Indigenous troopers.
What evidence/examples support the argument that the Australian Frontier Wars were an act of genocide?
Systematic massacres, poisoning of food and water, forced removals, and government policies aimed at Indigenous destruction.
Which British governor implemented a strategy of ‘conciliation and punishment’ to manage Indigenous resistance?
a) Captain James Cook
b) Governor Lachlan Macquarie
c) Captain Arthur Phillip
Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Who is Keith Windschuttle, and what was his stance in the History Wars?
A historian who argued that reports of massacres were exaggerated, challenging the extent of Indigenous suffering. He was the Historian behind the three cheers movement.
What was one major fighting styles used by Indigenous groups in the Frontier Wars?
Guerrilla warfare, including ambushes and hit-and-run attacks.
Why were Indigenous men recruited into the Native Police?
They had tracking skills and local knowledge, but they were also distanced from the communities they targeted.
What is the argument against defining the Frontier Wars as genocide?
Some argue there was no central government policy explicitly ordering extermination.
What did Windradyne, a leader of the Wiradjuri people, do in response to colonial expansion?
He led resistance against settlers in the Bathurst (Vic) region during the 1820s.
What was Henry Reynolds’ contribution to the History Wars debate? Which argument did he side with?
He documented evidence of frontier violence and argued for recognising Indigenous resistance and suffering. He was a part of the Black arm band movement.
Which battle is sometimes referred to as Australia’s largest single frontier conflict?
a) The Black Wars in Tasmania
b) The Battle of Parramatta
c) The Battle of Pinjarra
The Battle of Pinjarra (1834).
What was a major criticism of the Native Police's actions?
They were responsible for violent massacres and the displacement of Indigenous people. They also faced moral dilemmas due to their service.
Which legal case in Australia acknowledged past acts of genocide against Indigenous people?
a) Brining them Home Report
b) The National Apology
c) The Mabo Case
The Bringing Them Home Report (1997) identified the Stolen Generations as a form of cultural genocide.
Who was James Cook, and why is he a controversial figure in Australian history?
He was a explorer known for claiming Australia as 'Terra Nullius' from Indigenous people. He was also responsible for the killing of Indigenous people.
Why was the 2008 Apology by Kevin Rudd significant in the History Wars?
It acknowledged the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians, particularly the Stolen Generations, but remained controversial among some historians.
What was the long-term impact of the Frontier Wars on Indigenous communities?
Loss of land, population decline due to violence and disease, and the destruction of cultural traditions.
In which Australian colonies were Native Police forces active?
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
What is the significance of the Myall Creek Massacre in this debate?
It was one of the few instances where settlers were tried and executed for killing Indigenous people, showing recognition of wrongful killings but not broader genocide acknowledgment.
What was the major battle Major Nunn was involved in during the Australian Frontier Wars?
a) Waterloo Creek Massacre
b) Myall Massacre
c) Liverpool Massacre
Waterloo Creek Massacre
What impact did the History wars have on Australian Society. List 3 key areas it impacted.
Education system, Reconciliation and Politics.