Eureka and Democratic Traditions
People came to Victoria and the Victorian goldfields in the early 1850s bringing with them various economic, social, political and religious attitudes. They came from more than thirty countries, particularly from Europe and North America. Following the industrial revolution in the early 19th century and the turbulence of many wars in Europe at that time, new social theories developed about equitable treatment of working class people and the role of labour and capitalism.
Chartism
The term socialism was coined in the 1830's in Britain and the first organised labour movement commenced in Britain around 1824. Considerable social ferment was experienced in the 1830's when Chartism first emerged in Britain. Chartism was a movement for political and social reform and a more democratic constitution. It took its name from the People's Charter of 1838 which stipulated the six main aims of the movement as:
In 1846-8 there was considerable unrest in Europe which can be traced back to widespread crop failures, the most severe being the Irish Famine of 1846-9. This distress had the effect of producing mass movements in opposition to governments which, coupled to middle class demands for better opportunities in industry and society, caused government after government across the continent to fall.
Victorian Goldfields
And so people came to Victoria, to the gold fields from the early 1850's, undoubtedly strongly influenced by their experience in their home countries. They brought with them a strong belief in social justice wherever they had come from. The ideals embodied in the British People’s Charter summed up their aims and were incorporated in the Ballarat Reform League Charter written and adopted by the diggers a fortnight before Eureka. A copy was presented to the Victorian Government a week later. The Government’s reaction to the Charter was to send troops to Ballarat. A further deputation to Commissioner Rede was also rejected. He was determined 'To crush them and their democratic agitation in one blow'.
The diggers had had enough. A monster meeting was held on 30 November at which Government Gold Digging Licences were burnt. The following morning the local commandant staged a licence inspection and diggers who attempted to evade inspection were fired upon by soldiers. That afternoon a large number of diggers resolved to build a defensive ‘Stockade’ against further government attacks. They swore to defend each other and to fight for their rights and liberties. Then they marched to the Eureka Lead where they erected their ‘Stockade’.
Chartism
The term socialism was coined in the 1830's in Britain and the first organised labour movement commenced in Britain around 1824. Considerable social ferment was experienced in the 1830's when Chartism first emerged in Britain. Chartism was a movement for political and social reform and a more democratic constitution. It took its name from the People's Charter of 1838 which stipulated the six main aims of the movement as:
- Universal suffrage for all men over the age of 21
- Equal size electoral districts
- Voting by secret ballot
- An end to the need for a property qualification for members of parliament
- Payment of members of Parliament
- Annual elections for Parliament
In 1846-8 there was considerable unrest in Europe which can be traced back to widespread crop failures, the most severe being the Irish Famine of 1846-9. This distress had the effect of producing mass movements in opposition to governments which, coupled to middle class demands for better opportunities in industry and society, caused government after government across the continent to fall.
Victorian Goldfields
And so people came to Victoria, to the gold fields from the early 1850's, undoubtedly strongly influenced by their experience in their home countries. They brought with them a strong belief in social justice wherever they had come from. The ideals embodied in the British People’s Charter summed up their aims and were incorporated in the Ballarat Reform League Charter written and adopted by the diggers a fortnight before Eureka. A copy was presented to the Victorian Government a week later. The Government’s reaction to the Charter was to send troops to Ballarat. A further deputation to Commissioner Rede was also rejected. He was determined 'To crush them and their democratic agitation in one blow'.
The diggers had had enough. A monster meeting was held on 30 November at which Government Gold Digging Licences were burnt. The following morning the local commandant staged a licence inspection and diggers who attempted to evade inspection were fired upon by soldiers. That afternoon a large number of diggers resolved to build a defensive ‘Stockade’ against further government attacks. They swore to defend each other and to fight for their rights and liberties. Then they marched to the Eureka Lead where they erected their ‘Stockade’.
Troopers in Red Coats by George Browning, courtesy of the Gold Museum, Ballarat
On Sunday at dawn on 3 December, 280 soldiers and police stormed the stockade containing about 120-150 diggers. The police units followed the army with an uncontrolled bayonet charge. Between 22 and 30 diggers, and 5 soldiers were killed. About 120-140 men were arrested and most were shortly released. Only 13 supposed ring-leaders were sent for trial.
In the hotbed of the Ballarat gold fields in November 1854 nothing was done by the
Government administration to avoid the awful confrontation. There was no digger representation in the local or state administration. There was no attempt to conciliate with the diggers after the massive Bakery Hill protest meeting on November 30th. Rather there was a move to re-establish ‘law and order’ and crush any unrest.
Contrasting Approaches
It is interesting to note that the diggers’ production of a Charter, their monster meetings and their deputations to the Governor were all non-violent and organised in a democratic manner, whereas the government operated quite differently. They instituted secret codes, used spies, planned a secret police network and sent provocateurs among the diggers to stir up trouble, hoping to be able to blame them for any violence that might arise.
In Melbourne the Government administration was clearly not in touch with what was really happening and was not able or was not prepared to respond adequately. They thoroughly deserved the public censure that followed after the stockade slaughter.
In the hotbed of the Ballarat gold fields in November 1854 nothing was done by the
Government administration to avoid the awful confrontation. There was no digger representation in the local or state administration. There was no attempt to conciliate with the diggers after the massive Bakery Hill protest meeting on November 30th. Rather there was a move to re-establish ‘law and order’ and crush any unrest.
Contrasting Approaches
It is interesting to note that the diggers’ production of a Charter, their monster meetings and their deputations to the Governor were all non-violent and organised in a democratic manner, whereas the government operated quite differently. They instituted secret codes, used spies, planned a secret police network and sent provocateurs among the diggers to stir up trouble, hoping to be able to blame them for any violence that might arise.
In Melbourne the Government administration was clearly not in touch with what was really happening and was not able or was not prepared to respond adequately. They thoroughly deserved the public censure that followed after the stockade slaughter.
Reaction to Eureka
The reaction by the Victorian community after the Eureka Stockade was swift and its tone was quite certain. Monster meetings took place in Melbourne in the following week. More than 10,000 people attended peaceful mass meetings in the streets of the city and spoke eloquently of their dismay and sorrow at the events that had occurred. They passed a series of resolutions demanding change.
Thirteen diggers were tried for treason and all were acquitted. A goldfields commission was rapidly established (by December 7) to enquire thoroughly into conditions on the goldfields. Their findings published in late March led to a speedy amelioration of social and political conditions. Very substantial and far-reaching changes granted much local autonomy to the goldfields. Miner's licences were abolished and a Miner's Right at one pound a year was substituted. This entitled the holder of the Right to vote in elections thus effectively bringing in male representative democracy, as the vote was available to anyone willing to pay £1 per year.
As a result of this turnaround in Government attitude several Chartist points were quickly gained:
1. Manhood suffrage
3. Frequent Parliaments
4. Payment of members
Eureka was a product of its time and circumstance and was driven in large part by the incompetence of the government administration as well as the lack of representative government. It affected many aspects of life in this country for the better especially reaffirming the right of free people to go about their business without fear or coercion. It was high drama, with the Bonfire of Burning Licences, the Flag, the Stockade, an Oath and eventual Victory, following initial Defeat.
Eureka speaks to us of the importance of a free society being prepared to react to oppressive authority while seeking fairness and equity, valuing human rights and respecting human dignity. In short the Eureka diggers by their actions were seeking a more democratic and just society for all.
The reaction by the Victorian community after the Eureka Stockade was swift and its tone was quite certain. Monster meetings took place in Melbourne in the following week. More than 10,000 people attended peaceful mass meetings in the streets of the city and spoke eloquently of their dismay and sorrow at the events that had occurred. They passed a series of resolutions demanding change.
Thirteen diggers were tried for treason and all were acquitted. A goldfields commission was rapidly established (by December 7) to enquire thoroughly into conditions on the goldfields. Their findings published in late March led to a speedy amelioration of social and political conditions. Very substantial and far-reaching changes granted much local autonomy to the goldfields. Miner's licences were abolished and a Miner's Right at one pound a year was substituted. This entitled the holder of the Right to vote in elections thus effectively bringing in male representative democracy, as the vote was available to anyone willing to pay £1 per year.
As a result of this turnaround in Government attitude several Chartist points were quickly gained:
1. Manhood suffrage
- 1855 with Miner’s Right
- 1856 under new Constitution but coupled with residency and literacy qualifications, limiting the universality of the franchise.
- 1856 First in the world
3. Frequent Parliaments
- 1859 Not annual as Charter demanded but no longer than 3 years.
4. Payment of members
- 1869 So that poor men could represent poor men
Eureka was a product of its time and circumstance and was driven in large part by the incompetence of the government administration as well as the lack of representative government. It affected many aspects of life in this country for the better especially reaffirming the right of free people to go about their business without fear or coercion. It was high drama, with the Bonfire of Burning Licences, the Flag, the Stockade, an Oath and eventual Victory, following initial Defeat.
Eureka speaks to us of the importance of a free society being prepared to react to oppressive authority while seeking fairness and equity, valuing human rights and respecting human dignity. In short the Eureka diggers by their actions were seeking a more democratic and just society for all.
