what are some of the many changes the aboriginals have faced since 1788?

Answer 1

Impact of European settlement

A 19th century engraving showing "natives opposing the arrival of Captain James Cook" in 1770.In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook took possession of the east coast of Australia in the name of Great Britain and named it New South Wales. British colonisation of Australia began in Sydney in 1788. The most immediate consequence of British settlement - within weeks of the first colonists' arrival - was a wave of European epidemic diseases such as chickenpox, smallpox, influenza and measles, which spread in advance of the frontier of settlement. The worst-hit communities were the ones with the greatest population densities, where disease could spread more readily. In the arid centre of the continent, where small communities were spread over a vast area, the population decline was less marked.

The second consequence of British settlement was appropriation of land and water resources. The settlers took the view that Indigenous Australians were nomads with no concept of land ownership, who could be driven off land wanted for farming or grazing and who would be just as happy somewhere else. In fact the loss of traditional lands, food sources and water resources was usually fatal, particularly to communities already weakened by disease. Additionally, Indigenous Australians groups had a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land, so that in being forced to move away from traditional areas, cultural and spiritual practices necessary to the cohesion and well-being of the group could not be maintained. Unlike in New Zealand, no treaty was ever entered into with the indigenous peoples entitling the Europeans to land ownership. Proximity to settlers also brought venereal disease, to which Indigenous Australians had no tolerance and which greatly reduced indigenous fertility and birthrates. Settlers also brought alcohol, opium and tobacco; substance abuse has remained a chronic problem for indigenous communities ever since.

Answer 2

The Aboriginal people have undergone much change and turmoil in the 220 years since the British first started a colony. They have seen their land and their freedom stripped away. The Aboriginal people are slowly regaining ground after two centuries of unfair political and social treatment. How far have Aboriginal people come, and how far do they have to go, before they will truly be equal citizens?

To answer this question, one must first look at how they were forced to the bottom of the ladder. Next, some of the recent changes that have occurred in government policy and social acceptance will be looked at. Finally, education and health care as faced by the Aboriginals in their lives daily will be discussed.



History

The problems facing Aboriginals today are many and varied, yet they stem from one problem: the initial treatment of Aboriginals upon the European colonization of the continent. There are many barriers that have been broken down since this time, but many still remain.

The Aboriginals first came to Australia around 60,000 years ago from South East Asia. They came to the continent by boat in a time when the oceans were easier to cross, yet they still had to cover great distances. There were many waves of immigration; the Aboriginals do not stem from one single group.

Upon reaching the northern coast, some Aboriginals settled, but others dispersed across the entire land mass. Eventually many diverse tribes inhabited almost all of the territory. They lived in a loose communal lifestyle with deep kinship connections. The population remained fairly steady at around 300,000 people living on the continent at any time for some 2,000 generations, or 50,000 years. There were upwards of 200 languages, each with more than one dialect. The Aboriginals formed a literal meshwork across the Australian expanse.

Answer 3

They no longer rely on their hunting abilities for their daily needs. They have interrelated with white men in lots of places so the breed is not pure . They have changed from drinking bottled wine to the cask .

Answer 4

I'm just answering this for the points. Thx! lol