Australian History For Dummies

Discover the fascinating details that make Australia the country it is today Australian History For Dummies is your rough-and-ready tour guide through Australia’s whirlwind past.We’ll introduce you to the people and events that have shaped this ‘Land Down Under’ (and why it’s called that, anyway). You’ll see how Indigenous Australians lived in Australia for over 65,000 years. You’ll be there as British colonists explore Australia's harsh terrain. You’ll appreciate the impact of the world wars. And you’ll delve into the recent past, giving you insight into modern-day Australia and what’s next. Australia is a place unlike any other place, and its wild history, with more ups and downs than you’ll care to count, makes for fascinating reading. Bushrangers, the gold rush, the first female prime minister—it’s all inside. This new edition fills in the last ten years of history and covers issues faced in the 21st century. Explore the history of Indigenous Australia from the ancient past to the modern day Watch Australia put itself on the map—learn about the intrepid explorers and the discovery of gold Understand how and why the states were united and meet the major players who made it happen Examine the social, economic and political changes that made Australia what it is today Students, teachers and anyone else who wants to learn more about Australia’s background will love this lively, authoritative book. Relax and be entertained as Australian History For Dummies tells you the stories of the past.

This irreverent book introduces you to the people who helped shape Australia's history. Find out about life down under, and discover all the intriguing details the dry history textbooks left out. Explore the history of Aboriginal Australia. see how indigenous Australians lived in Australia for over 40,000 years before colonization Track the early years of European settlement find out why Britain settled Australia and what the challenges and successes were Learn about the intrepid explorers and the discovery of gold watch as Australia hits the big time and puts itself on the map Witness the birth of a nation understand how and why the states were united and meet the major players who made it happen Appreciate the impact of the World Wars uncover the roots of the Anzac legend and the effects of postwar baby boom and immigration Examine the social and economic change of the 1970s and 1980s discover the impact of multiculturalism and the mining boom Delve into modern - day Australia understand the impact of the Howard years, and what led to Australia's first female prime minister.

Discover the fascinating details that make Australia the country it is today Australian History For Dummies is your rough-and-ready tour guide through Australia's whirlwind past. We'll introduce you to the people and events that have shaped this 'Land Down Under' (and why it's called that, anyway). You'll see how Indigenous Australians lived in Australia for over 65,000 years. You'll be there as British colonists explore Australia's harsh terrain. You'll appreciate the impact of the world wars. And you'll delve into the recent past, giving you insight into modern-day Australia and what's next. Australia is a place unlike any other place, and its wild history, with more ups and downs than you'll care to count, makes for fascinating reading. Bushrangers, the gold rush, the first female prime minister—it's all inside. This new edition fills in the last ten years of history and covers issues faced in the 21st century. Explore the history of Indigenous Australia from the ancient past to the modern day Watch Australia put itself on the map—learn about the intrepid explorers and the discovery of gold Understand how and why the states were united and meet the major players who made it happen Examine the social, economic and political changes that made Australia what it is today Students, teachers and anyone else who wants to learn more about Australia’s background will love this lively, authoritative book. Relax and be entertained as Australian History For Dummies tells you the stories of the past.

Australian history has been revised and reinterpreted by successive generations of historians, writers, governments and public commentators, yet there has been no account of the ways it has changed, who makes history, and how. Making Australian History responds to this critical gap in Australian historical research.A few years ago Anna Clark saw a series of paintings on a sandstone cliff face in the Northern Territory. There were characteristic crosshatched images of fat barramundi and turtles, as well as sprayed handprints and several human figures with spears. Next to them was a long gun, painted with white ochre, an unmistakable image of the colonisers. Was this an Indigenous rendering of contact? A work of history?Each piece of history has a message and context that depends on who wrote it and when. Australian history has swirled and contorted over the years: the history wars have embroiled historians, politicians and public commentators alike, while debates over historical fiction have been as divisive. History isn't just about understanding what happened and why. It also reflects the persuasions, politics and prejudices of its authors. Each iteration of Australia's national story reveals not only the past in question, but also the guiding concerns and perceptions of each generation of history makers.Making Australian History is bold and inclusive: it catalogues and contextualises changing readings of the past, it examines the increasingly problematic role of historians as national storytellers, and it incorporates the stories of people.

Created especially for the Australian customer! The simple and easy way to get your mind around Australia's military history More people are visiting Gallipoli and walking the Kokoda Trail each year — now find out why. This complete guide helps you trace the story of Australia's involvement in war, from the colonial conflicts with the Indigenous population, through the World Wars to peacekeeping initiatives in East Timor and the controversial conflict in Afghanistan. Find out the origins of Australia's military history — go all the way back to the arrival of the First Fleet and the conflicts with the Indigenous peoples Learn about the heroism of the Anzacs — discover the origins of the legend of Gallipoli, and how the brass bungled the campaign Discover the horrors of war — consider the suffering and huge losses on the Western Front Recognise the successful battles of World Wars I and II — follow the Diggers' exploits in Palestine and Syria, and at Tobruk and Alamein Marvel at the grim jungle battles — track the Diggersthrough New Guinea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam between 1942 and 1972 Admire Australia's efforts to repel possible invaders — learn how Australians defended their country against the Japanese during World War II See how the Cold War heated up — witness the fight against communism in the Korean and Vietnam Wars Appreciate the modern-day Australian Defence Force — acknowledge the courage of the men and women who protectus into the 21st century Open the book and find: New insights into the meaning of Anzac Day Simple explanations of the structure of Australia's military Details of who fought whom, where, when and why Stories of Australia's great military fighters and leaders Accounts of the iconic battles that established Australia's reputation Locations of Australia's peacekeeping operations around the world Ways in which war and conflict have shaped the nation Reasons why Australia goes to war Learn to: Comprehend the impact of waron Australia Appreciate the heroism at AnzacCove and other significant battlefields Understand the controversies ofrecent conflicts, including in Vietnam and Iraq

A comprehensive, relevant, and accessible look at all aspects of Indigenous Australian history and culture What is The Dreaming? How many different Indigenous tribes and languages once existed in Australia? What is the purpose of a corroboree? What effect do the events of the past have on Indigenous peoples today? Indigenous Australia For Dummies answers these questions and countless others about the oldest race on Earth. It explores Indigenous life in Australia before 1770, the impact of white settlement, the ongoing struggle by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to secure their human rights and equal treatment under the law, and much more. Celebrating the contributions of Indigenous people to contemporary Australian culture, the book explores Indigenous art, music, dance, literature, film, sport, and spirituality. It discusses the concept of modern Indigenous identity and examines the ongoing challenges facing Indigenous communities today, from health and housing to employment and education, land rights, and self-determination. Explores significant political moments—such as Paul Keating's Redfern Speech and Kevin Rudd's apology, and more Profiles celebrated people and organisations in a variety of fields, from Cathy Freeman to Albert Namatjira to the Bangarra Dance Theatre and the National Aboriginal Radio Service Challenges common stereotypes about Indigenous people and discusses current debates, such as a land rights and inequalities in health and education This book will enlighten readers of all backgrounds about the history, struggles and triumphs of the diverse, proud, and fascinating peoples that make up Australia's Indigenous communities. With a foreword by former PM Malcolm Fraser, Indigenous Australia For Dummies is a must-read account of Australia's first people. 'Indigenous Australia For Dummies is an important contribution to the broad debate and to a better understanding of our past history. Hopefully it will influence future events.'—Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser

This exciting and stimulating book looks back at turning points and crucial moments in Australian history. Rather than arguing that there have been forks on a pre-determined road, the book challenges us to think about other paths or better paths that might have led to different outcomes.

"A Source Book of Australian History" is a concise full history of Australia from the discovery of Tasmania to the National Australian Convention and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia. The book was aimed at students interested in learning the subject. Each chapter has a short synopsis at the beginning to better comprehend the subject.

This collection of engaging and vigorous essays examine what makes the 'history business' tick. Davison demonstrates that Australia's history can be relevant to the issues we confront everyday at the governmental level, at work, and in our communities.