Migration Post 1945

Australia's
Migration Policy
Post-1945

Wednesday 16th October

Year 10

Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able
to:

●Describe the impact of Australia's
migration policies post-1945.

●Explain the 'Populate or Perish'
slogan and its significance.

●Identify key changes in government
policies affecting migration.

●Analyze the experiences of a
migrant group between 1945-1970.

Lesson Outcomes

●I can explain the abolition of the
White Australia Policy.

●I can describe the 'Populate or
Perish' campaign.

●I can outline the hardships faced by
post-1945 migrants.

●I can discuss government policies
that influenced migration.

Key Vocabulary: Part 1

White Australia Policy: A set of
historical policies that restricted non-
European immigration to Australia.

Populate or Perish: A post-World War II
slogan encouraging increased migration
to boost Australia's population.

Key Vocabulary: Part 2

Migration Patterns: The trends and
movements of people relocating to
Australia over time.

Post-1945 Policies: Government policies
implemented after World War II to
encourage migration.

Pre-WWII Migration Restrictions

Before World War II, Australia
implemented strict immigration policies
to maintain a predominantly white
population.

●White Australia Policy: Enforced
through the Immigration
Restriction Act of 1901.

●Dictation Test: A tool to exclude
non-European immigrants. They
could be given passages in a
language they didn't speak.

These policies reflect Australia's desire
to preserve a homogeneous society.

Multiple Choice

What was the population of Australia around 1947?

• 7 million

• 5 million

• 10 million

• 12 million

Multiple Choice

What was the population of Australia around 1947?

• 7 million

• 5 million

• 10 million

• 12 million

Can you pass the dictation test?

Post-1945 Policy Shift

After WWII, Australia faced a need to increase
its population for economic and security
reasons.

●Arthur Calwell's (Immigration Minister)
'Populate or Perish' Slogan: Highlighted
the urgency of attracting migrants.

●Population of only 7.5 million was spread
out thinly across a vast land.

●Government Initiatives: Encouraged
European migration through incentives
and support.

This marked a significant policy shift towards a
more inclusive immigration approach.

Multiple Choice

What was the catchphrase associated with Australia's post-war immigration policy?

• Grow or Go

• Expand or Expire

• Populate or Perish

• Immigrate or Integrate

Multiple Choice

Who was the Minister for Immigration from 1945 to 1949?

• Ben Chifley

• John Curtin

• Arthur Calwell

• Robert Menzies

Discussion: 'Populate or Perish'

Discuss with a partner and
then write in three lines:

●Why do you think the government
used the slogan 'Populate or Perish'?

●How might this have influenced
public opinion about migration?

Share your thoughts with the
class.

How did Calwell hope to attract
migrants?

●Incentives for Migrants: Australia offered
free or assisted passage, housing
support, and employment assistance

●Significant Immigration: Between 1945
and 1961, over two million immigrants
arrived in Australia, primarily from
Europe, but also from Asia and other
regions.

●Migrant Hostels: Facilities like the
Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training
Centre in Victoria were established to
provide temporary accommodation and
support services to new arrivals.

Assisted Passage Migration Scheme

●Assisted Passage Migration Scheme: One of the most influential post-war
programs, offering free or assisted passage to people from countries like
Britain, Italy, Greece, and Germany.

●‘Ten Pound Poms’: The scheme was popularly known as the ‘Ten Pound
Poms’ scheme, allowing British migrants to travel to Australia for only ten
pounds.

Multiple Choice

What was the nickname for British migrants under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme?

• Ten Pound Poms

• Pound Sterling Settlers

• Shilling Sailors

• Five Dollar Brits

Multiple Choice

Which scheme offered free or assisted passage to immigrants?

• Displaced Persons Scheme

• Snowy Mountains Scheme

• Good Neighbour Movement

• Assisted Passage Migration Scheme

Advocate for Immigration: Arthur Calwell was a
strong proponent of immigration, viewing it as
crucial for Australia’s survival.

Dismantling Restrictions: He worked to remove
wartime restrictions on certain groups, such as
Jews and Catholics, facilitating their immigration
to Australia.

Population Growth Goal: Calwell aimed to
increase Australia’s population by one percent
annually through immigration.

Good Neighbour Movement: Established in 1949,
this initiative involved Australian volunteers
helping immigrants assimilate into society.

Arthur Calwell's influence

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of the Good Neighbour Movement?

• To provide financial aid

• To assist immigrants in assimilating

• To promote tourism

• To build infrastructure

Multiple Choice

How many immigrants arrived in Australia between 1945 and 1961?

• Over 500,000

• Over 1 million

• Over 3 million

• Over 2 million

Abolition of the White Australia Policy

The dismantling of the White Australia
Policy began in the 1950s and
culminated in the 1970s.

●1958: Removal of the dictation test.

●1973: Complete abolition under the
Whitlam Government.

This change paved the way for a
multicultural Australia.

Multiple Choice

What was the main goal of the Displaced Persons Scheme?

• To attract skilled workers

• To address the humanitarian crisis in Europe

• To build new cities

• To promote tourism

Multiple Choice

When did Queen Elizabeth II first visit Australia?

• 1954

• 1960

• 1965

• 1950

Multiple Choice

Which group of people was primarily encouraged to immigrate to Australia post-WWII?

• Americans

• Asians

• Africans

• Europeans

One of Australia’s most ambitious engineering
projects, involving the damming of major rivers in
the Snowy Mountains region to build hydroelectric
power stations.

Job Opportunities: The project offered secure jobs
for skilled workers, attracting over 100,000
immigrants from around the world between 1949
and 1974.

Economic Growth: The hydroelectric power stations
provided electricity for Australia’s growing
population and industries.

Skilled Workforce: The initiative required a
significant increase in people with construction
skills, making it a major draw for skilled
immigrants.

Snowy Mountains Scheme

Multiple Choice

Which project was one of the most ambitious engineering projects in Australian history?

• Sydney Harbour Bridge

• Great Ocean Road

• Melbourne Metro Tunnel

• Snowy Mountains Scheme

Activity: Policy Timeline

Create a timeline:

●Include key events and changes in
Australia's migration policy from
1945 to 1973.

●Highlight the abolition of the White
Australia Policy.

Share your timeline with a
classmate and discuss the
impact of these changes.

Migrant Hardships: Italian Immigrants

Italian immigrants faced numerous
challenges upon arriving in Australia
post-1945.

●Language Barriers: Difficulty in
communication and finding
employment.

●Cultural Adjustment: Adapting to
new social norms and customs.

●Employment: Often worked in low-
skilled jobs under harsh conditions.

Despite these challenges, Italian
communities thrived and contributed
significantly to Australian society.

Multiple Choice

When was the Immigration Restriction Act fully dismantled?

• 1980

• 1973

• 1965

• 1990

Multiple Choice

What was a requirement for immigrants to Australia post-WWII?

• Must be from the British Isles

• Must have a job to go to

• Must be under 30 years old

• Must speak English fluently

Reflective Activity: Migrant Stories

Reflect on the following:

●Imagine you are an Italian
immigrant arriving in Australia in
the 1950s.

●Write a diary entry describing your
first week.

●Consider the challenges and
feelings you might experience.

Share your diary entry with the
class.

Multiple Choice

What was the main reason for Australia's post-WWII immigration policy?

• To boost tourism

• To increase population for defense and economy

• To promote cultural diversity

• To build new cities

Multiple Choice

By 1971, what percentage of Australia's population was born overseas?

• 25%

• 20%

• 15%

• 10%

Lesson Review

Let's review what we've
learned:

●Key changes in Australia's
migration policies post-1945.

●The impact of the 'Populate or
Perish' campaign.

●The experiences and hardships of
Italian immigrants.

Reflect on how these
historical events have shaped
modern Australia.

Consolidation Activity

Create a mind map:

●Include key concepts from today's
lesson.

●Show connections between
migration policies and migrant
experiences.

Present your mind map to the
class and discuss your
insights.