What the Australian gold rush did for Australia now
The finding of gold has had many long-lasting effects.
One of the main effects of the gold rushes was on the growing agricultural industry. Many of the men who worked on the farms, sheep and cattle stations simply put down their tools and left. Workers, owners - they left their jobs because the goldfields were too tempting. Often women and children were left to tend the stations their husbands left behind. As a result, Aboriginal labour became more popular. The goldrushes saw the rise of loyal Aboriginal stockmen who were willing to work long and hard for perhaps less pay than their predecessors
Because major gold discoveries were made in Victoria, this newly separated state suddenly found itself very wealthy. Businesses boomed, together with the population, and more people settled further out from the established towns, sparking interest and enthusiasm in exploration. Victoria's newfound wealth was directly responsible for the well-equipped but badly managed exploration of Burke and Wills, which ultimately resulted in their deaths.
Enormous amounts of Chinese came to Australia bringing their unique cultural influences. Many Chinese people stayed at Australia after the main gold deposits ran out and started businesses. People also came from other countries with gold hanging in their mind, and decided to stay. This had a massive influence on the multicultural country we are today.
The events of the Eureka Stockade started the democracy that exists in Australia today. While the miners at the Eureka Stockade did not immediately achieve their objective, it gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry was conducted which allowed the miners to work in a fair environment.
One of the main effects of the gold rushes was on the growing agricultural industry. Many of the men who worked on the farms, sheep and cattle stations simply put down their tools and left. Workers, owners - they left their jobs because the goldfields were too tempting. Often women and children were left to tend the stations their husbands left behind. As a result, Aboriginal labour became more popular. The goldrushes saw the rise of loyal Aboriginal stockmen who were willing to work long and hard for perhaps less pay than their predecessors
Because major gold discoveries were made in Victoria, this newly separated state suddenly found itself very wealthy. Businesses boomed, together with the population, and more people settled further out from the established towns, sparking interest and enthusiasm in exploration. Victoria's newfound wealth was directly responsible for the well-equipped but badly managed exploration of Burke and Wills, which ultimately resulted in their deaths.
Enormous amounts of Chinese came to Australia bringing their unique cultural influences. Many Chinese people stayed at Australia after the main gold deposits ran out and started businesses. People also came from other countries with gold hanging in their mind, and decided to stay. This had a massive influence on the multicultural country we are today.
The events of the Eureka Stockade started the democracy that exists in Australia today. While the miners at the Eureka Stockade did not immediately achieve their objective, it gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry was conducted which allowed the miners to work in a fair environment.