Republicanism and the Eureka Rebellion facts for kids

During the exciting gold rush days in Victoria, Australia, in the mid-1800s, many people from all over the world came to seek their fortune. Among them were a large number of Irish and American immigrants. These groups brought with them strong ideas about freedom and how governments should be run, which sometimes clashed with the British rulers of the colony. Their beliefs played a part in the events leading up to the famous Eureka Stockade.

Gold Rush and New Ideas in Victoria

In 1861, about 16% of Victoria's population, or 87,160 people, were born in Ireland. Many Irish people had come to Australia as convicts or with help from the government. Some areas, like the Eureka goldfield, were known for having many Irish miners. There were often disagreements between English and Irish miners.

People from North America, especially the United States, also came to Victoria. Many Irish people had moved to America, so these countries were home to a large Irish population. One person at the time noted that Ballarat was a popular gathering spot for Americans.

Americans and Republican Beliefs

Historians like Ian MacFarlane point out that Americans were often seen with suspicion by the British. This was because Britain and the United States had a difficult relationship. Americans were known for their republican ideas, which meant they believed in a government where citizens elected their leaders, not a king or queen.

Between 1851 and 1856, about 16,000 Americans traveled to Australia. By 1854, most Americans in Victoria were working on the goldfields. More and more American ships arrived in Port Phillip, bringing goods from the United States.

British officials were worried about these American newcomers. In 1852, the British consul in Philadelphia warned that Americans heading to Australia might not be loyal to the British Crown. He advised authorities to be careful.

When the American consul asked to celebrate Independence Day in 1853 by firing a salute, the mayor of Melbourne said no. He felt such celebrations in a British colony would encourage feelings that should not be supported.

An official in Washington D.C. was told in 1853 that Americans would be very happy if Australia broke away from Great Britain. Many Irish people in America were also known for being against British rule. Many Irish who came to the gold rush had first gone to California for gold. They also remembered the terrible potato famine in Ireland from 1846-1847.

Clive Turnbull, a historian, wrote that the large American community in Victoria was strongly republican. They believed in self-governance, similar to how the United States had broken away from England. They felt that England was holding down both the United States, Ireland, and Australia. Alongside the growing anger about problems on the goldfields, there was also a quiet movement, mostly American, pushing for an Australian republic.

Was There a Declaration of Independence?

The Ballarat Reform League was a group formed by miners to demand fairer rules. When its founding document was added to the Victorian Heritage Register, Premier Steve Bracks called it "our Declaration of Independence." Henry Seekamp, editor of the Ballarat Times, wrote in 1854 that the League was the "germ of independence." He believed it would lead to Australia's freedom.

However, during the trials after the Eureka Stockade, Seekamp was called a "radical" who was "rousing up the people." This suggests his writings might have been very strong and perhaps exaggerated. Raffaello Carboni, another figure from Eureka, also said the League was the "germ of Australian independence."

H.R. Nicholls noted that some Irish people and other foreigners, fresh from revolutions in Europe in 1848, were quick to join the rebellion.

The Reform League's charter itself hinted at a desire for independence. It stated that the League did not want to separate from Britain immediately, but only if fair laws and rights were given to everyone. However, if Queen Victoria continued to make unfair laws, the League would try to replace the Queen's power with the power of the people.

Despite these strong words, there is no clear proof of a formal declaration of independence being made during the Eureka Rebellion.

Nicholls later claimed that a man named Alfred Black wrote a "long, very flowery...Declaration of Independence." He said it was read to armed people and cheered loudly. William Withers also said such a declaration was made at a shop, with Black and others present.

However, Raffaello Carboni called claims of an American-style declaration a "falsehood." He challenged anyone to produce the document. Carboni seemed to be questioning Nicholls's claims.

It's possible that someone connected to the Eureka movement did write a declaration of independence. But it would have been unofficial and known only to a few people.

An American merchant named George Train claimed in 1901 that a Eureka leader, McGill, asked him for weapons and offered him the "President of our Republic" title. Train said he helped McGill escape. However, Train became known for being eccentric later in life. Historians like L.G. Churchward find Train's story "most improbable." They believe McGill was sheltered by Train, but the claims about weapons and a presidency are doubtful.

Clive Turnbull thought Train's story was "probable enough," but then mentioned another strange claim by Train about being elected to the colonial legislature. Other historians have dismissed Train's claims as unproven.

Nicholls also recalled that when asked what he stood for, Peter Lalor, a leader at Eureka, would say, "'Independence!' Plump and plain." But other historians say Lalor's idea of independence was more about freedom from unfair rules and access to land, rather than creating a new republic. Daniel and Annette Potts state that Lalor always denied wanting independence outside the existing government. Nicholls, however, insisted that Lalor did want independence, even if he later denied it.

Peter Lalor's father, Patrick, was an Irish politician who supported Irish self-rule. His older brother, James Fintian, was a leader in the Young Ireland Movement. This group wanted Ireland to be a separate nation and some members were involved in a shootout with police in 1848.

William Craig believed Lalor was well-informed about politics when he arrived in Australia. Lalor strongly believed that his homeland, Ireland, should be a nation and supported their fight against British rule. Charles Currey described Lalor as someone who generally wanted a fair deal and would only be provoked by unfair treatment.