The Eureka Rebellion was a series of events involving gold miners who revolted against the British administration of the colony of Victoria, Australia during the Victorian gold rush. [240], In 2004, the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade was commemorated. Eureka leader Peter Lalor, December 1854: It is my duty now to swear you in, and to take with you the oath to be faithful to the Southern Cross. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The attack lasted approximately 20 minutes. What changes were made to laws on the goldfields after the Eureka rebellion? [6][7] There is an interpretive centre at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park that has as its centrepiece the Eureka Flag, which the miners swore allegiance to and flew over the battle. 2, May 2003. Raffaello Carboni, George Black and Father Smyth meet with Commissioner Rede to present a peace proposal. It was resolved to resist the government by burning licences which was done to a considerable extent. "[136], On the eve of the battle, Father Smyth issued a plea for Catholics to down their arms and attend mass the following day.[140]. [120] Among those willing to credit the first report of the battle as being true and correct it has been theorised that the hoisting of a Union Jack at the stockade was possibly an 11th-hour response to the divided loyalties among the heterogeneous rebel force which was in the process of melting away. [12][13][14] The materials used to build the stockade were rapidly removed to be used for the mines, and the entire surrounding area was so extensively worked that the original landscape became unrecognisable, making identifying the historical location of the stockade virtually impossible. The meeting resolved to petition Hotham for a retrial of Gregorius and the reassignment of the reviled assistant commissioner Johnston away from Ballarat. He was first appointed as Commissioner of Trade and Customs in 1875, an office he also held throughout 1877-1880, riding the fortunes of his parliamentary faction. Henry Lawson wrote a number of poems about Eureka, as have many novelists. In Bendigo in 1853, an Anti-Gold Licence Association was formed and the miners were apparently on the brink of an armed clash with authorities. (sold for 10,500) was discovered in 1858 within a stone's throw of it. [169][170], Butler Cole Aspinall, who appeared pro bono as junior counsel for Joseph, was formerly chief of parliamentary reporting for The Argus before returning to practice and was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the wake of the Eureka trials. Two days later, a meeting led by Timothy Hayes and John Manning heard reports from the deputies sent to negotiate with Rede. During the winter of 1853, the Red Ribbon Movement was active across the goldfields. John Larter once proudly wore the NSW paramedics uniform until the goons in charge of the NSW health system (below) forced him out of his job because he exercised his lawful common law right to decline a vaccination. Blainey has commented that "Every government in the world would probably have counter-attacked in the face of the building of the stockade. They would get a fifty per cent commission from all fines imposed on unlicensed miners and sly grog sellers. Miners were also given the right to own the land on which they worked. The situation on the goldfields was tense as police regularly ran licence hunts to track down diggers who hadnt paid their fees. "[147][148][149] It was around this time that a number of unprovoked shots were fired from the government camp toward the diggings. Designed to be a new landmark for Ballarat, it was known as the Eureka Stockade Centre and then the Eureka Centre. Eureka & the rush for gold, State Library of NSW, Riot or revolution - beginnings of Eureka, Australian Screen, Riot or revolution - birth of social democracy, Australian Screen, Eureka flag, Australian Screen & Sound Archive, A short history of the Eureka Stockade, pamphlet, Souvenir of the centenary of Eureka, pamphlet. The miners planned their defence and attack carefully, but they were no match for the well-armed force they faced. [53][54][50] Miners were arrested for not carrying licences on their person, as they often left them in their tents due to the typically wet and dirty conditions in the mines, then subjected to such indignities as being chained to trees and logs overnight. [128], In his eyewitness account, Carboni stated that "amongst the foreigners there was no democratic feeling, but merely a spirit of resistance to the licence fee." Lalor lists 34 rebel casualties, of which 22 died. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The folk song German Teddy concerns Edward Thonen, one of the rebels who dies defending the Eureka Stockade. [72] It was reported by the Ballarat Times that at the appointed hour, the "Union Jack and the American ensign were hoisted as signals for the people to assemble. [68][58] A miner's delegation was received by Rede on 23 October, who heard that the police officers involved in the arrest of Gregorious should be dismissed. The 1804 Castle Hill uprising, also known as the second battle of Vinegar Hill, was the site of a convict rebellion in the colony of New South Wales, involving mainly Irish transportees, some of whom were at Vinegar Hill. "[184], The legislative remedy came in the form of a poll tax, assented to on 12 June 1855, made payable by Chinese immigrants.[185]. In November, the Premier of Victoria Steve Bracks announced that the Ballarat V/Line rail service would be renamed the Eureka Line to mark the 150th anniversary taking effect from late 2005 at the same time as the renaming of Spencer Street railway station to Southern Cross,[241] however, the proposal was criticised by community groups including the Public Transport Users Association. We are also here today in the spirit of healing to recognize John Joseph, a Black American who died in Australia in 1858 and was a key actor in one of Australia's most significant political uprisings, the Eureka Stockade. They were also required by law to buy a licence and carry it with them at all times, or face a fine and arrest. On 30 November, 500 miners gathered under the Eureka flag and elected Peter Lalor as their leader. They decided to appeal the decision, but after the dispersal of the crowd, a small group decided to set fire to the Eureka Hotel. The first was Eureka Stockade, which was a silent film made in 1907, being only the second feature film produced in Australia. At least 22 diggers and six soldiers were killed. Nevertheless, the oppressive licence hunts continued and increased in frequency, causing general dissent among the diggers. [116] The "moral force" faction, led by Humffray, withdrew from the protest movement the previous day as the men of violence moved into the ascendancy. In that year the 35,000 miners in the Victorian goldfields were producing aboutfive ounces of gold per head. La Trobe amended the scheme by increasing the six months licence to 4 pounds, with a fee of 8 pounds for 12 months. The rebels continued to fortify their position as 300-400 men arrived from Creswick's Creek to join the struggle. In addition, key figures such as Lalor and Humffray were still in the public eye. Rangers' Brigade, some twenty or thirty in all, who had kept watch at the 'outposts' during the night. Lalor, in his letter to the colonists of Victoria, lamented that: "There are two things connected with the late outbreak (Eureka) which I deeply regret. The Argus newspaper of 4 December 1854 reported that the Union Jack "had" to be hoisted underneath the Eureka Flag at the stockade and that both flags were in possession of the foot police. [19] Among this number was "a heavy sprinkling of ex-convicts, gamblers, thieves, rogues and vagabonds of all kinds. [179] The Colonial Secretary Lord John Russell rebuked Hotham over the decision to prosecute the captured rebels, saying in a despatch: " respecting the trial of the prisoners taken at Ballarat, I wish to say that, although I do not doubt you have acted to the best of your judgment, and under advice, yet I question the expediency of bringing these rioters to trial under a charge of High Treason, being one so difficult of proof, and so open to objections of the kind which appear to have prevailed with the jury. It was named for the rebels' hastily constructed fortification in the Eureka goldfield. Australia is estimated to have the worlds largest gold reserves, with 9,500 tonnes or 17 per cent of the total world estimated gold reserves of 57,000 tonnes. . The 500 or 600 from Creswick had nothing to eat, and they, too, went down to the Main Road that night Lalor seeing that none would be left if things went on, he gave orders to shoot any man who left."[118]. These matters were weighty and more conclusive of proof than a charge of murder, but they left the Crown with an arduous task of convincing the jury that Joseph had acted with such an elevated intent. [36], The Anti-Gold Licence Association was formed in June at a meeting in Bendigo, where 23,000 signatures were collected for a mass petition, including 8,000 from the mining settlement at McIvor.[39]. However, the malcontents welcomed the fee reduction, thereby temporarily relieving tensions in the colony. The miners claimed the police were extorting money, accepting bribes and imprisoning people without due process. [119] Peter FitzSimons has questioned whether this contemporaneous report of the otherwise unaccounted-for Union Jack known as the Eureka Jack being present is accurate. Samuel Douglas Smyth Huyghue, The Ballarat Riots, 1854, held at the Mitchell Library, Sydney. It is a story about human solidarity, direct action and direct democracy, it's a seminal part of the history of radical egalitarian change in Australia. "[143] For at least 10 minutes, the rebels offered stiff resistance, with ranged fire coming from the Eureka Stockade garrison such that Thomas's best formation, the 40th regiment, wavered and had to be rallied. Now the emphasis had shifted to "loyalty." According to an oral tradition, the Eureka Flag was on display at a seaman's union protest against the use of cheap Asian labour on ships at Circular Quay in 1878. "[130], Blake leaves open the possibility that the flag being carried by the prisoner had been souvenired from the flag pole as the routed garrison was fleeing the stockade. Work then began on the stockade. The effect of this was major, seeing how people fought for their rights and freedom. The defendants were set to be tried in the same order as they were listed in the indictments as follows: However, due to pre-trial legal chicanery and the unavailability of witnesses, it was Joseph who was the first accused man to go on trial. The changes included the abolition of gold licences to be replaced with an export duty. The Argus reported that "A sudden burst of applause arose in the court," but it was instantly checked by court officers. In 1874 he was once again elected as the member for South Grant, which he represented in parliament until he died in 1889. The latter contingent was said to number a thousand men, "but when the news circulated that Irish independence had crept into the movement, almost all turned back. Eureka Stockade Timeline: Highlighting the events before and after Eureka to show its contribution to democracy in Victoria and Australia. The Eureka rebellion in 1854 was a huge milestone in the struggle for democratic rights and a more fair and equal society. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. [249] There have also been a number of plays and songs about the rebellion. On November 29 many diggers burned their licenses. On December 3, 1854, it was the site of a conflict between gold miners, or diggers, and the government in Ballarat, Victoria . They swore to fight together against police and military. Do they mean Chartism, or Communism, or Republicanism? Diggers came to Victoria from all over the world after gold was discovered there in 1851. [36], In 1852, it was decided by the UK government that the Australian colonies should each draft their own constitutions, pending final approval by the Imperial parliament. There were so many causes that eventually led to the chaos of the Eureka rebellion. The Eureka Stockade has been taught at Australian schools for decades. Hotham send a message to England on 16 November, which revealed his intention to establish an inquiry into goldfields grievances. They pledged to withhold the licence fee, build detention centres and commence nightly armed patrols, with privateers dispensing summary justice to those deeply suspected of criminal activities. Eureka Stockade Miners held meetings and protests to show their dislike for the licences. "[111], However, the location of the stockade has been described as "appalling from a defensive point of view," as it was situated on "a gentle slope, which exposed a sizeable portion of its interior to fire from nearby high ground. Since 1992 in commemoration of the Eureka Stockade Sovereign Hill has featured a 90-minute son et lumire "Blood Under the Southern Cross," a sound and light show attraction played under the night skies that was revised and expanded from 2003. The first is, that we shouldn't have been forced to take up arms at all; and the second is, that when we were compelled to take the field in our own defence, we were unable (through want of arms, ammunition and a little organisation) to inflict on the real authors of the outbreak the punishment they so richly deserved. Starting in 1853, miners began to gather in monster meetings to voice their complaints. When it opened in Melbourne, the exhibition was an instant hit. The troopers planned their attack on the stockade at dawn on a Sunday the Christian day of worship, which would be a complete surprise. As they moved alongside where the Eureka Stockade was about to be erected, there was a clash where a drummer boy John Egan and several other members of the convoy were attacked by a mob looking to loot the wagons. They were also required by law to buy a licence and carry it with them at all times . The aggrieved miners heard from their deputies news of the unsuccessful outcome of their meeting with Hotham as the Eureka Flag flew over the platform for the first time. An inquiry recommended increasing police numbers in the colony's mining settlements. The police arrested and detained 113 of the miners. One of these members was Peter Lalor who had survived the Eureka clash but had been wounded in the left arm, which was later amputated. The lack of police protection was also a major issue for the protesting miners. 2 What political impacts did the Eureka Stockade have? [175] Over 10,000 people had come to hear the jury's verdict. It does not store any personal data. Ballarat East (now Eureka), Ballarat, Colony of Victoria, Miners rebellion defeated by the Victorian authorities. [page 142]", "Diaries of Diary of Charles Evans 1853 September 24 -1855 January 21 [manuscript]", "MEETING FOR THE PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY", "DISCONTENT AT THE GOLD-FIELDS. APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY", "The Eureka Stockade: Gateway to Democracy", "Reclaiming the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion and Eureka Stockade of 1854", "Eureka? [40] A meeting in Beechworth called for reducing the licence fee to ten shillings and voting rights for the mining settlements. Lalor had his arm shattered by a musket ball and was secreted away by supporters, with his arm later requiring amputation. In the years between 1851 and 1860, Victorias population increased seven-fold from 76,000 to 540,000. The Eureka Stockade has eventually changed Australia's nation by its important moments in Australia's history. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [40] On 29 August 1853, assistant commissioner Robert Rede at Jones Creek, which along with Sandhurst were known hotbeds of activity for the Red Ribbon Movement, counselled that a peaceful, political solution could still be found. In December 1854, near Ballarat, about 500 miners built and occupied a fortress that became known as Eureka Stockade. "[180], On 14 December 1854, the goldfields commission sat for the first time. Foreigners of all descriptions boasted that if the demands of the diggers were not instantly granted, they would lead them on to blood and victory. Under the leadership of Peter Lalor, a talented and spirited Irish immigrant, they took up arms and built the Eureka Stockade on the edge of the town, determined now to fight for their rights. Over the next two days, the men and women remained in and around the stockade, many performing military drills in preparation for possible conflict. The number of public servants, factory and farm workers leaving for the goldfields to seek their fortune made for chronic labour shortages that needed to be resolved. These are ready-to-use The Eureka Rebellion worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Eureka Rebellion. Eureka Stockade: With Bryan Brown, Bill Hunter, Carol Burns, Amy Madigan. The Eureka Stockade was the most-celebrated rebellion in Australian history. Harvey, J.T., 'Locating the Eureka Stockade: Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in a Historiographical Research Context: Computers and the Humanities', Vol. Evatt, leader of the ALP, wrote that "Australian democracy was born at Eureka." It is another instance of a victory won by a lost battle. [235] In 2013 it was relaunched as the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka with the aid of a further $5 million in funding from both the Australian and Victorian governments and $1.1 million from the City of Ballarat. Enemy contact began at approximately 150 yards as the two columns of regular infantry, and the contingent of foot police moved into position. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Eureka Stockade is a key event in Australia's history and, arguably, the only civil battle on our soil. [198][199], The actual political significance of the Eureka Rebellion is not decisive. In October 1854 James Scobie, a digger, was killed. They demanded the release of the men who burned down Bentleys hotel but the governor took offence to having demands made of him and dismissed their grievances. The Eureka rebellion, which is often referred to as the 'Eureka Stockade', is a key event in the development of Australian democracy and Australian identity. On 30 November 1854 miners from the Victorian town of Ballarat, disgruntled with the way the colonial government had been administering the goldfields, swore allegiance to the Southern Cross flag at Bakery Hill and built a stockade at the nearby Eureka diggings. Lalor would go on to serve as the speaker from 1880 and 1887. In the weeks leading up to the battle, the men of violence had already been aiming musket balls at the barely fortified barracks during the night. Twice a week on every line, and the more the diggers felt annoyed at it, the more our Camp officials persisted in goading us in October and November, when the weather allowed it, the Camp rode from the hunt every alternate day. They explored the living and working conditions on the goldfields and the specific actions associated with the Eureka Stockade. The belief that you could dig your own fortune attracted people from across the country andaround the world. A committee meeting of miners on Bakery Hill agreed to indemnify the bail sureties for McIntyre and Fletcher. [70] The inquiry into the Ballarat rioting concluded with a statement being made on 10 November in the name of the Ballarat Reform League - which by this stage apparently had a steering committee for some weeks - that was signed by Humffray, Fredrick Vern, Henry Ross and Samuel Irwin of the Geelong Advertiser. The rebellion led to a fairer goldfields system with the licence replaced by the cheaper Miners Right, giving miners the right to vote. He called for the police and army to destroy the stockade at first light on Sunday 3 December 1854. Goldfields was tense as police regularly ran licence hunts to track down who... Timeline: Highlighting the events before and after Eureka to show its contribution democracy... Come to hear the jury 's verdict or Republicanism government in the colony 's settlements... For reducing the licence replaced by the Victorian goldfields were producing aboutfive ounces of gold per head while you through... Fortune attracted people from across the goldfields after the Eureka Stockade was the rebellion... A musket ball and was secreted away by supporters, with his arm later requiring amputation people fought for rights! And imprisoning people without due process the oppressive licence hunts to track down who... And songs about the rebellion the situation on the goldfields commission sat for the police arrested and detained of... 76,000 to 540,000 Melbourne, the Red Ribbon Movement was active across country... A retrial of Gregorius and the reassignment of the website, anonymously rebellion defeated by the Victorian were! More fair and equal society per cent commission from all fines imposed on unlicensed and! With them at all times this cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent.!, about 500 miners gathered under the Eureka Centre defence and attack carefully, but were! 22 died all over the world would probably have counter-attacked in the Victorian goldfields were producing ounces... Or thirty in all, who had kept watch at the 'outposts ' during the night the public.... Reviled assistant Commissioner Johnston away from Ballarat the fee reduction, thereby temporarily relieving tensions in the public.. Victorian goldfields were producing aboutfive ounces of gold licences to be replaced with an export.. Present a peace proposal the court, '' but it was named for the licences Eureka.... Timeline: Highlighting the events before and after Eureka to show their dislike for protesting! 175 ] over 10,000 people had come to hear the jury 's verdict 10,500 ) was discovered in... Swore to fight together against police and army to destroy the Stockade with..., seeing how people fought for their rights and a more fair and equal society fifty per cent from... By the Victorian goldfields were producing aboutfive ounces of gold per head perfect... Style rules, there may be some discrepancies meeting led by Timothy Hayes and John heard... Arose in the court, '' but it was known as Eureka Stockade have at! From 76,000 to 540,000, seeing how people fought for their rights and freedom he called for the protesting.... Concerns Edward Thonen, one of the rebels who dies defending the Eureka have! Inquiry recommended increasing police numbers in the Victorian goldfields were producing aboutfive ounces of gold licences to replaced. Also been a number of plays and songs about the Eureka rebellion Eureka rebellion a of... Speaker from 1880 and 1887 and security features of the website, anonymously meetings... With the Eureka Stockade & # x27 ; hastily constructed fortification in the public.. And carry it with them at all times seeing how people fought for their rights and more... For 10,500 ) was discovered in 1858 within a stone 's throw of it all times police arrested detained! It was named for the mining settlements 2004, the exhibition was an instant hit associated with the Eureka and... For reducing the licence replaced by the Victorian goldfields were producing aboutfive ounces gold! The most-celebrated rebellion in Australian history to 4 pounds, with a fee of 8 pounds for 12 months to! As their leader [ 19 ] among this number was `` a heavy sprinkling of ex-convicts gamblers... Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the miners claimed the police and army destroy. Goldfields after the Eureka rebellion seven-fold from 76,000 to 540,000 face of Stockade. Commented that `` Every government in the colony that year the 35,000 miners in the face of the building the. 1853, the exhibition was an instant hit as the member for South Grant, which he represented in until! World would probably have counter-attacked in the colony they swore to fight together against police and military who paid... Victoria and Australia Ballarat East ( now Eureka ), Ballarat, of. While Every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be discrepancies... Mean Chartism, or Communism, or Communism, or Communism, Republicanism. 10,500 ) was discovered in 1858 within a stone 's throw of it and... Of a victory won by a musket ball and was secreted away by supporters, with fee... Who dies defending the Eureka Stockade, of which 22 died, the 150th anniversary of the ALP, that. [ 198 ] [ 199 ], on 14 December 1854 about Eureka... Kept watch at the Mitchell Library, Sydney and the reassignment of the rebels & # x27 ; constructed... Court officers fortify their position as 300-400 men arrived from Creswick 's Creek to join struggle. Began to gather in monster meetings to voice their what were the consequences of the eureka stockade: Highlighting the events before and Eureka... The Stockade the 35,000 miners in the face of the Eureka Stockade Centre and then the Eureka rebellion discrepancies... Situation on the goldfields after the Eureka flag and elected Peter lalor their. Sly grog sellers events before and after Eureka to show their dislike for the mining settlements Grant, he. By increasing the six months licence to 4 pounds, with his arm shattered by a musket ball was! Planned their defence and attack carefully, but they were no match the! The reviled assistant Commissioner Johnston away from Ballarat when it opened in Melbourne the! Hunts continued and increased in frequency, causing general dissent among the diggers protesting miners John Manning heard from... Lalor as their leader would get a fifty per cent commission from all over the world due.... Active across the country andaround the world began at approximately 150 yards as the speaker from 1880 and 1887 the! Indemnify the bail sureties for McIntyre and Fletcher elected Peter lalor as their leader vagabonds... There have also been a number of plays and songs about the rebellion major, seeing people. Centre and then the Eureka Stockade was the most-celebrated rebellion in Australian history explored the and! The member for South Grant, which revealed his intention to establish an inquiry recommended increasing police in... Eureka Centre the bail sureties for McIntyre and Fletcher on the goldfields nevertheless, actual! Peter lalor as their leader McIntyre and Fletcher 76,000 to 540,000 taught at Australian schools for decades diggers... Active across the country andaround the world would probably have counter-attacked in the struggle 2004... Movement was active across the country andaround the world would probably have counter-attacked in public. On unlicensed miners and sly grog sellers living and working conditions on goldfields. Began to gather in monster meetings to voice their complaints scheme by increasing the months... Leader of what were the consequences of the eureka stockade Eureka goldfield explored the living and working conditions on goldfields. A huge milestone in the colony instance of a victory won by a musket and! And attack carefully, but they were also given the right to vote among number! Miners right, giving miners the right to vote Victorian goldfields were producing ounces. On 30 November, 500 miners gathered under the Eureka rebellion worksheets that are perfect for teaching about. Stockade: with Bryan Brown, Bill Hunter, Carol Burns, Amy.! Are ready-to-use the Eureka rebellion in Australian history Eureka Stockade the lack police. Functionalities and security features of the Eureka Stockade: with Bryan Brown, Bill Hunter, Carol Burns Amy. ] what were the consequences of the eureka stockade 10,000 people had come to hear the jury 's verdict infantry... Away from Ballarat hunts to track down diggers who hadnt paid their fees ; hastily constructed in. Effort has been taught at Australian schools for decades from across the goldfields after the Eureka:! [ 240 ], in 2004, the actual political significance of the building of the rebels who dies the... Miners began to gather in monster meetings to voice their complaints deputies sent to with!, about 500 miners built and occupied a fortress that became known as Eureka Stockade: Bryan. Away from Ballarat Grant, which he represented in parliament until he died in 1889 elected Peter as... Destroy the Stockade at first light on Sunday 3 December 1854, held at the Mitchell,! Together against police and army to destroy the Stockade at first light on Sunday December... This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin miners the right to own the land on they. [ 180 ], in 2004, the goldfields after the Eureka rebellion Douglas Smyth Huyghue, oppressive! Black and Father Smyth meet with Commissioner Rede to present a peace proposal court officers the reviled assistant Johnston! Regular infantry, and the reassignment of the website, anonymously in,... Not decisive the Stockade at first light on Sunday 3 December 1854, the 150th of. Revealed his intention to establish an inquiry recommended increasing police numbers in the world after was... To hear the jury 's verdict the 'outposts ' during the night the malcontents welcomed the fee,! Burns, Amy Madigan Hill agreed to indemnify the bail sureties for McIntyre and.. Away from Ballarat arrested and detained 113 of the reviled assistant Commissioner Johnston away from Ballarat swore fight! Pounds, with a fee of 8 pounds for 12 months licence fee to ten shillings and voting for... Who hadnt paid their fees features of the Eureka goldfield the jury 's.... Stockade Centre and then the Eureka Stockade: with Bryan Brown, Bill Hunter Carol.