Leslie Massey
Australia and the United States have a long shared history, with both countries having been British colonies that gained independence and developed similar settler-colonial structures. Both countries also share a history of subjugating and exterminating native peoples and cultures, with the United States' history of slavery and Australia's history of Aboriginal exclusion. The ANZUS security treaty, concluded in 1951, serves as the foundation of defence and security cooperation between the countries. Cultural similarities between the two countries are also evident, with a shared influence of British colonisation resulting in distinctive cultural traits and slang, as well as a complex relationship with their British colonial history.
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What You'll Learn
Both nations have a history of British colonisation
The histories of Australia and the United States share similarities, with both nations having a history of British colonisation.
Australia's written history began with Dutch exploration of its coastline in the 17th century. The Dutch referred to the continent as New Holland. British colonisation followed in 1788 with the establishment of the penal colony of New South Wales. By the mid-19th century, most of the continent had been explored by European settlers, and five additional self-governing British colonies were established, each gaining responsible government by 1890. The colonies federated in 1901, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. This continued a process of increasing autonomy from the United Kingdom, which was highlighted by the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 and culminated in the Australia Acts of 1986.
The United States, on the other hand, was first colonised by the British in the 17th century along the eastern seaboard, with the establishment of the Jamestown colony in 1607 and the Plymouth colony in 1620. The colonies declared their independence from Britain in 1776, and the United States of America was formed.
Both nations share a history of British colonisation, which has influenced their cultural and political development. The process of colonisation involved the subjugation and extermination of native peoples and cultures, deemed uncivilised by the colonists. This resulted in the development of a parallel frontier ethos, cultivating a sense of superiority to the "corrupt" European metropolises. The expansion westward and the challenges of the Australian Outback and the American frontier were believed to bring out the best qualities of Britons or Englishmen, representing the Anglo-Saxon character at its most exemplary state.
The British colonisation of Australia and the United States has left a lasting impact on the cultures and identities of both nations. In Australia, the evolution of culture since British colonisation has given rise to distinctive cultural traits, with many Australians identifying egalitarianism, mateship, irreverence, and a lack of formality as part of their national identity. Similarly, the United States has experienced cultural influences from British colonisation, which continue to shape its society and values.
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They share a history of subjugating and exterminating native peoples and cultures
Australia and the United States share a history of subjugating and exterminating Indigenous peoples and cultures. Both countries started from small colonial beachheads on the eastern side of their respective continents, expanding westward and claiming land from Indigenous nations. This westward expansion was accompanied by a belief in white superiority and a sense of "frontier ethos".
In the United States, the westward expansion of European settlers led to the forced displacement and violent conquest of Native American communities. This process was often justified by notions of "manifest destiny" and the belief that European-American settlers were bringing civilisation to the "uncivilised" West. This resulted in the loss of Native American lands, the disruption of their cultures, and the imposition of colonial systems.
Similarly, in Australia, British colonisation began in 1788 with the establishment of the penal colony of New South Wales. By the mid-19th century, most of the continent had been explored by European settlers, and additional self-governing British colonies were established. This expansion led to conflicts with Aboriginal Australians, who had lived in Australia for between 50,000 and 65,000 years and had established one of the oldest living cultures in the world, speaking 250 distinct languages.
The expansion of colonial settlements in Australia resulted in violent clashes with Aboriginal communities and the dispossession of their lands. The notion of a "white Australia" became prevalent, with nationalists emphasising the importance of "British blood" and Anglo-Saxon identity. This ideology contributed to policies that excluded non-white immigrants, such as the labour movement's promotion of excluding cheap Asian labour.
Both countries also experienced similar processes of increasing autonomy from their colonial powers. Australia gained independence from Britain and became a federation of former British colonies in 1901, while the United States declared its independence from Britain in 1776 and gradually expanded westward, solidifying its control over Indigenous lands and establishing new states.
The shared history of colonisation and westward expansion in Australia and the United States has left a lasting impact on the cultures and societies of both nations. It has shaped their political, social, and economic structures and influenced their relationships with Indigenous communities. Despite differences in their histories, the parallel experiences of subjugating and exterminating Indigenous peoples and cultures remain a significant aspect of the shared history of Australia and the United States.
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They have both experienced a gold rush
Australia and the United States have both experienced gold rushes, which have had a significant impact on their history.
The first gold rush in Australia began in May 1851 when Edward Hargraves, along with others, discovered payable gold near Orange, at a site called Ophir. Hargraves had previously been to the Californian goldfields, where he learned new prospecting techniques. The Australian gold rush changed the convict colonies into more progressive cities, with an influx of immigrants from Britain, Europe, the United States, and China. The population quadrupled from 430,000 people in 1851 to 1.7 million in 1871, and the gold rush also contributed to the emergence of a unique national identity. Gold profits were used to establish towns and transform existing cities, with the construction of new banks, stores, hotels, and other businesses. The gold rush era also saw large investments in transportation infrastructure, with new roads, railways, and bridges being built to connect people to the goldfields and cities.
The California Gold Rush, which began in 1848, also had a significant impact on the history of the United States. The promise of fortune led thousands of men to leave their homes and travel across the Pacific, creating labour shortages and economic depression in some areas. The California Gold Rush was one of the largest mass migrations in the history of the United States, with approximately 300,000 people traveling to California from across the country and abroad. The influx of people to California led to the establishment of new towns and the growth of existing cities. It also contributed to the diversification of the population, with people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds joining the gold rush.
Both countries experienced similar social and economic impacts as a result of their respective gold rushes, including increased immigration, labour shortages, economic growth, and the emergence of new towns and cities. The gold rushes also contributed to the development of national identities and had long-lasting political impacts, with calls for democratic reforms and changes to immigration policies.
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They have both been influenced by similar settler-colonial structures
Australia and the United States have both been influenced by similar settler-colonial structures. Both countries started from small colonial beachheads on the east side of their respective continents, expanding westward as they subjugated and exterminated native peoples and cultures deemed "uncivilized". This expansionism cultivated a parallel frontier ethos that shaped their respective notions of superiority over the "corrupt" societies of Europe. This shared colonial mindset has left a lasting impact on the cultural and political landscape of both nations, with rural inland culture exhibiting peculiarities in the context of broader culture wars.
The United States and Australia also share similarities in their historical engagement with Indigenous populations. Both countries have a history of colonising Indigenous lands, displacing and marginalising native communities, and attempting to assimilate them into colonial structures. This has resulted in ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights and recognition in both nations.
Additionally, both countries have experienced significant waves of immigration, contributing to their multicultural societies. The United States has long been a destination for immigrants from around the world, and Australia, following World War II, encouraged large-scale immigration from Europe, referring to these migrants as "New Australians". This shared experience of immigration has influenced the social fabric and cultural diversity of both countries.
The influence of British colonisation is another common thread in the histories of Australia and the United States. Australia, as a former British colony, has strong cultural ties to the United Kingdom, and Australian nationalism has often been linked to a sense of "Britishness". Similarly, the United States has a history of British colonial rule, which has left its mark on the country's institutions and cultural identity.
Furthermore, both nations have grappled with the legacy of racial discrimination and the struggle for civil rights. In Australia, Aboriginal people were excluded from the franchise unless they already had the vote in a state jurisdiction. Similarly, the civil rights movement in the United States fought against racial segregation and discrimination towards African Americans and other racial minorities. These shared struggles have shaped the ongoing dialogue around racial equality and reconciliation in both countries.
In conclusion, Australia and the United States exhibit notable similarities in their historical trajectories, particularly regarding their settler-colonial structures, engagement with Indigenous populations, immigration patterns, British colonial influence, and struggles for racial equality. These shared experiences have shaped the cultural, social, and political landscapes of both nations.
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Both countries have a history of racialised nationalism
Both Australia and the United States have a history of racialised nationalism. The United States has a history of slavery and racial segregation, with African Americans and other racial minorities facing discrimination and violence. Similarly, Australia has a history of racialised nationalism directed at its Indigenous population, the Aboriginal Australians.
Australian nationalism has long been associated with a "white Australia". Many nationalists spoke of Australians sharing common blood as members of the British "race", and some regarded themselves as truer Britons of purer Anglo-Saxon stock than the British themselves. This notion of Australian nationalism was further reinforced by the belief that the challenges of the Australian environment brought out the best qualities of the British or Anglo-Saxon character.
The settlement of Australia by the British involved the subjugation and extermination of Aboriginal Australians and their cultures, which were deemed uncivilized. This colonial expansion led to the development of a frontier ethos that cultivated a sense of superiority over the "corrupt" European metropolises. The labour movement strongly promoted the idea of excluding cheap Asian labour, further emphasising the racialised nature of Australian nationalism.
Similarly, the United States also started from small colonial beachheads on the East Coast and expanded westward, displacing and exterminating Native Americans and their cultures. This shared history of colonial expansion and the displacement of Indigenous peoples has resulted in parallel settler-colonial structures in both countries.
In both Australia and the United States, racialised nationalism has been a significant aspect of their histories. While both countries have made progress towards recognising and addressing past injustices, the legacy of racialised nationalism continues to have an impact on the present.
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Frequently asked questions
Both Australia and the United States were colonised by Britain, with the former being used as a penal colony from 1788. The United States, meanwhile, was a British colony from 1776 to 1783, before it gained independence.
Both countries started from small colonial beachheads on the East side of their respective continents and expanded westward, subjugating and exterminating native peoples and cultures. This led to the development of a parallel frontier ethos that cultivated a visceral relationship with the West as a powerful abstraction that explained their respective superiority to the "corrupt" European metropolises.
Australia and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1940, and the latter recognised the former as a sovereign nation. Since 1951, Australia and the United States have been allies under the ANZUS treaty, which serves as the foundation of defence and security cooperation between the two countries.
