Australian History for Dummies

Discover how a penal colony became one of the world′s mostprosperous nations

Want to be in the driver′s seat as you explore the importantevents of Australia′s past and present? Let this fun andinformative book serve as your tour guide, introducing you to thepeople who helped shape Australia′s history. Find out about lifedown under, and discover all the intriguing details the dry historytextbooks left out!

Explore the history of Aboriginal Australia seehow indigenous Australians lived in Australia for over 40,000 yearsbefore colonisation

Track the early years of European settlement findout why the British settled Australia and what the challenges andsuccesses were

Learn about the intrepid explorers and the discovery ofgold watch as Australia hits the big time and putsitself on the map

Witness the birth of a nation understand how andwhy the states were united and meet the major players who made ithappen

Appreciate the impact of the World Wars uncoverthe roots of the Anzac legend and the effects of the postwar babyboom and immigration

Examine the social and economic changes of recent decades discover the impact of multiculturalism and how Hawke,Keating and Howard shook up the economy and opened Australia to theworld

Delve into modern–day Australia understand theimpact of the Howard years, and what led to Australia′s firstfemale prime minister

Open the book and find:

How European settlers forged inland to open up Australia′sfertile land

Details of iconic Australians, from politicians to bushrangersand sportspeople to scientists

The origins of the terra nullius theory and the Mabo verdict onnative title

Analysis of the culture wars and their impact on Australianlife

The game–changing moments in Australia′s history

Inventions that Australians have given the world

Learn to:

Identify the significant events and people that shapedAustralia

Grasp the impact of Indigenous culture, colonisation andimmigration

Understand events such as the gold rush, Gallipoli and the babyboom

Appreciate Australia′s great cultural, scientific and sportingfeats

Introduction.

Part I. Let s Get This Country Started.

Chapter 1. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.

Chapter 2. First Australians: Making a Home, ReceivingVisitors.

Chapter 3. Second Arrivals and First Colonials.

Chapter 4. Colony Going Places (With Some TeethingTroubles).

Chapter 5. A Nation of Second Chances.

Part II. 1820s to 1900: Wool, Gold, Bust and thenFederation.

Chapter 6. Getting Tough, Making Money and Taking Country.

Chapter 7. Economic Collapse and the Beginnings ofNationalism.

Chapter 8. The Discovery of Gold and an ImmigrationAvalanche.

Chapter 9. Explorers, Selectors, Bushrangers andTrains.

Chapter 10. Work, Play and Politics During the Long Boom.

Chapter 11. The Economy s Collapsed Anyone forNationhood?

Part III. The 20th Century: New Nation, NewTrajectories.

Chapter 12. Nation Just Born Yesterday.

Chapter 13. World War I: International and Local Ruptures.

Chapter 14. Australia Unlimited.

Part IV. 1930 to 1949: Going So Wrong, So Soon?

Chapter 15. A Not So Great Depression.

Chapter 16. World War II Battles.

Chapter 17. Making Australia New Again.

Part V. 1950 to 2010: Prospering and Social Turmoil.

Chapter 18. Ambushed by Prosperity!

Chapter 19. Taking Things Apart in the 1960s and 1970s.

Chapter 20. When Old Australia Dies Is New AustraliaReady?

Chapter 21. Into the New Millennium.

Part VI. The Part of Tens.

Chapter 22. Ten Things Australia Gave the World.

Chapter 23. Ten Game–Changing Moments.

Index. 

Alex McDermott has been researching, writing about and teaching Australian history for the past decade, including time spent teaching at La Trobe University in Victoria, writing essays, articles and a book, and acting as researcher and consultant for various popular historical documentaries.