Migration
In 1852 alone, 370,000 immigrants arrived in Australia and the economy of the nation boomed.
The 'rush' was well and truly on. Victoria contributed more than one third of the world's gold output in the 1850s and in just two years the State's population had grown from 77,000 to 540,000!
The 'rush' was well and truly on. Victoria contributed more than one third of the world's gold output in the 1850s and in just two years the State's population had grown from 77,000 to 540,000!
Once Edward Hargraves announced his discovery of Ophir, prospectors started travelling from the cities (Sydney and Melbourne) to seek their fortune. The lure was so great that hundreds of people were leaving their families and their jobs behind. This meant that doctors, teachers, policemen, farmers, labourers, bakers and other people who helped deliver key services were leaving the cities. Farms were abandoned and streets that were previously bustling were largely empty. Few adult males remained in the cities to enforce the law, harvest food, bake bread or look after sick people.
In addition to this domestic migration, the prospect of gold drew an enormous amount of international migration. Many prospectors believed that finding gold was easy and were surprised when mining was difficult and often unrewarding. News of 'striking it rich' in Ophir spread around the globe.
Prior to the gold rushes, Australia had a population of 430 000. Between 1851 and 1860, Australia became home to 300 000 English and Welsh migrants, over 101 000 Irish migrants, 100 000 Scottish migrants, and 42 000 Chinese migrants. In addition to these nationalities, many migrants arrived from Germany, Italy, France and Poland. More experienced prospectors also arrived from the goldfields of North America.
Within years, the population of Victoria had jumped from 77 000 to 540 000, including almost 40 000 Chinese migrants. By 1871, 20 years after gold was first discovered, the Australian population boomed to 1.7 million.
In addition to this domestic migration, the prospect of gold drew an enormous amount of international migration. Many prospectors believed that finding gold was easy and were surprised when mining was difficult and often unrewarding. News of 'striking it rich' in Ophir spread around the globe.
Prior to the gold rushes, Australia had a population of 430 000. Between 1851 and 1860, Australia became home to 300 000 English and Welsh migrants, over 101 000 Irish migrants, 100 000 Scottish migrants, and 42 000 Chinese migrants. In addition to these nationalities, many migrants arrived from Germany, Italy, France and Poland. More experienced prospectors also arrived from the goldfields of North America.
Within years, the population of Victoria had jumped from 77 000 to 540 000, including almost 40 000 Chinese migrants. By 1871, 20 years after gold was first discovered, the Australian population boomed to 1.7 million.
Task 5:
-Explore the information above. Using the link below, create a map of the world highlighting the countries where most of the migrants to Australia came from.
- Upload your map to your Weebly account.
www.amcharts.com/visited_countries/#
-Explore the information above. Using the link below, create a map of the world highlighting the countries where most of the migrants to Australia came from.
- Upload your map to your Weebly account.
www.amcharts.com/visited_countries/#