White Australia Policy 1901-1973

Summary

The White Australia Policy was a series of laws aimed at restricting non-European immigration, beginning in 1901. It was rooted in racial discrimination, favoring European and particularly British immigrants. The policy employed a dictation test in multiple languages as a tool to exclude non-Europeans. Over time, the policy evolved, especially after WWII when Australia sought to boost its population. It eventually began to weaken after the 1940s, with legislation changes leading to the policy's official end in 1973. The Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 made racial discrimination illegal, marking a major shift in Australian immigration policy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The White Australia Policy was a series of legislative acts aimed at limiting non-European immigration, particularly favoring British and European immigrants.
• 😀 Prior to 1901, Australia was made up of separate British colonies, each self-governing, before forming a Federation under the Commonwealth of Australia.
• 😀 In the late 1800s, Australia experienced an influx of immigrants, including many Chinese during the gold rush, leading to racial tensions and a push for immigration restrictions.
• 😀 The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 included a dictation test in any European language to block non-white immigration, becoming a key tool of the White Australia Policy.
• 😀 The dictation test, which could be repeated until a failure, was used to prevent non-European immigrants from entering Australia, regardless of their race.
• 😀 The initial intent of the White Australia Policy was to protect the 'British race' and preserve Australia's European demographic.
• 😀 The policy was not a formal one, but a set of laws that became increasingly difficult for non-European migrants to pass through.
• 😀 After World War II, Australia needed more people to sustain its population growth, and the slogan 'populate or perish' led to changes in immigration policies.
• 😀 From 1945 onward, the White Australia Policy was gradually weakened, with significant legislative changes aimed at reducing racial discrimination in immigration.
• 😀 The White Australia Policy is officially considered to have ended in 1973 when the Immigration Act was amended, allowing for a non-racial basis in immigration decisions.
• 😀 The Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 made it illegal to use racial criteria for government purposes, further dismantling the White Australia Policy.

Q & A

What was the White Australia Policy?

The White Australia Policy was a series of legislative acts and government practices aimed at restricting non-European immigration to Australia, prioritizing European immigrants, particularly from Britain.

When was the White Australia Policy formally introduced?

The White Australia Policy began in 1901 with the Immigration Restriction Act, which effectively restricted non-European immigration, though it was not a formal, single policy.

How did the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 work?

The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 included a dictation test in any European language. This test could be used multiple times over a period of up to five years to reject immigrants who failed it, regardless of their ethnicity.

What was the role of the dictation test in the White Australia Policy?

The dictation test was a key tool in the White Australia Policy. It was designed to prevent non-European immigrants from entering Australia by requiring them to pass a written test in any European language, which was typically impossible for non-Europeans.

Why was the White Australia Policy initially introduced?

The policy was introduced to limit the influx of non-European immigrants, especially after the gold rush brought significant numbers of Chinese immigrants and Pacific Islanders to Australia, which led to racial tensions.

Who were some of the key figures in supporting the White Australia Policy?

Key figures like Prime Minister Edmund Barton and Arthur Calwell played significant roles in supporting and implementing the policy. Barton was a vocal advocate for European immigration, while Calwell was involved in post-WWII migration strategies that continued to reflect the policy's influence.

How did the White Australia Policy affect Australia's immigration laws over time?

Over time, the White Australia Policy evolved. After World War II, Australia began encouraging migration from Britain and Europe, which eventually led to the relaxation of discriminatory immigration laws, culminating in the end of the policy in 1973 with the Racial Discrimination Act.

What was the slogan 'Populate or Perish' and how did it relate to the White Australia Policy?

'Populate or Perish' was a slogan coined in 1945 to address the fear of Australia's declining population after WWII. It led to large-scale European migration, but also to a gradual weakening of the racial preferences that had defined the White Australia Policy.

When did the White Australia Policy officially end?

The White Australia Policy is considered to have officially ended in 1973, when amendments to the Immigration Act and the Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 made it illegal to use race as a criterion for immigration decisions.

What impact did the White Australia Policy have on Australia's relationship with non-European countries?

The White Australia Policy caused significant racial tension and had a negative impact on Australia's diplomatic relations with non-European countries, especially Japan and India, as it was seen as discriminatory and exclusionary.