A Traveller's History of Australia

by John H. Chambers

Overview

Essential reading for travelers who wish to enjoy the amazing diversity of Australia.

The ancient Aboriginal way of life is described; early European sightings; and the establishment of the British convict colony in 1788, which dragged the continent into the modern world. The dynamic story of Australia in the twentieth century, its role in two world wars, the post-war discoveries of huge mineral deposits, its courting of Asia in recent decades, the return of vast areas of land to the Aborigines, and its confident cultural vibrancy in wine, food, film, and art are also examined.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623717339
Publisher:	Interlink Publishing Group, Incorporated
Publication date:	10/03/2023
Series:	Interlink Traveller's Histories
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	500,045
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

John H. Chambers was born in Queensland. He holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and most recently was a visiting professor at City University of New York. He is the author of nine books, including A Traveller’s History to New Zealand in this series.

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
	Introduction: Two Beginnings	1
Chapter 1	The Physical Environment	3
Chapter 2	Aboriginal Australia	11
Chapter 3	Europeans Arrive	36
Chapter 4	The Convict System and the Growth of the First Two Colonies	60
Chapter 5	New Britannias: Cities and Colonies all around the Coast	86
Chapter 6	Explorers and Squatters: the Demise of Black Australia	112
Chapter 7	Economic Development: 1850-1900	140
Chapter 8	Democracy and Nationalism: 1820-1900	172
Chapter 9	The Early Federation, the Great War, the 1920s and '30s	203
Chapter 10	World War II and Post-war Changes to 1972	228
Chapter 11	Politics, the Economy, and Culture since 1972	258
Appendix 1	Adaptation of the Red Kangaroo to the Environment	297
Appendix 2	Why Boomerangs Return	300
	Governors-General, Governors, and Premiers	301
	Prime Ministers	307
	Chronology of Major Events	308
	Further Reading	315
	Historical Gazetteer	318
	Index	339
	Maps
	Physical map of Australia	5
	Sahul and important archaeological sites	13
	Voyage of the First Fleet, 1787-88	50
	The evolution of colonial and state boundaries showing capital cities	88
	Long-distance exploration	114
	The route of the overland telegraph line	123
	The main mining districts: historical and contemporary	166
	Modern map of Australia	260
	Major Aboriginal lands	288

Editorial Reviews

"Australia, whose chequered past merits more than 'convicts find gold then government,' is laid open deftly, and we are effortlessly brought from 53, 000 BC to the present day."

From the Publisher

"Australia, whose chequered past merits more than 'convicts find gold then government,' is laid open deftly, and we are effortlessly brought from 53, 000 BC to the present day."

The Observer