Australia and the British Empire, 1852-1992
Bruce Knox
8 points
* Two lectures and one tutorial per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
Objectives This subject elucidates the British and imperial context in which the Australian colonies became the Commonwealth of Australia, and the 20th-century imperial and international exigencies which shaped its later development.
Synopsis The Australian colonies became self-governing in 1855, with responsibility for policies on, for instance, race, tariffs and land use. A version of parliamentary monarchy was introduced, adapting to local circumstances - including `democracy' - in succeeding years. These political and constitutional developments, and the gradual withdrawal of the authority of the metropolitan State, took place in the broad context of the British Empire. The Australian Federal Constitution was formed in that context which also largely shaped the emergence of an independent Australian dominion. The subject examines this process and considers the significance of constitutional crises and questions which have arisen since 1945.
Assessment second year Two essays (1500 and 2500 words): 60%
*
Examination (2 hours): 40%
Assessment third year Tutorial essay (1000 words) and research essay
(3000 words): 60%
* Examination (2 hours): 40%
* Wider reading than at
the second-year level, and a generally deeper acquaintance with the subject
will be required.
Prescribed texts
Lloyd T O The British Empire, 1558-1983 OUP, 1984
McMinn W G A constitutional history of Australia OUP, 1979
Porter B The lion's share: A short history of British imperialism, 1850-1970 1975
Recommended texts
Fieldhouse D K The colonial empires: A comparative study from the 18th century to the present Wiedenfeld and Nicolson, 1966
Hirst J B The strange birth of colonial democracy Allen and Unwin, 1988
Hudson W J and Sharp M P Australian independence: Colony to reluctant kingdom 1988
James L The rise and fall of the British Empire Little Brown, 1994
Ward J M Colonial self-government: The British experience Macmillan, 1976
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