Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In 1854, Australia was in the grip of gold fever. Strikes had been made in New South Wales and Victoria and the world came to dig. Several areas of Victoria were covered in camps and diggings, particularly around Ballarat - but miners or "diggers" were unhappy and restless. They were also very poor. What was the reason for their discontent and poverty?
2. The harshest burden of all, especially for diggers who were down on their luck, was the law requiring that all miners had to hold a licence. Soldiers had been introduced into the goldfields to enforce the licensing laws and resentment grew. Why were the miners so very angry about the licence laws?
3. On 6th October 1854, James Bentley, the publican of the Eureka Hotel, was disturbed by two drunken Scots who wanted a drink. A fight erupted and James Scobie - one of the Scotsmen - was killed. Bentley was on friendly terms with local officials. Two of his friends arrested him but no committal for trial was forthcoming.
This incensed the already disgruntled diggers who saw this as evidence of corruption within the local police and judiciary. Who failed to commit Bentley for trial for murder?
4. The outraged diggers wanted Bentley brought to trial. They assembled at the Eureka Hotel and promptly burnt it to the ground. The Governor of Victoria, Sir Charles Hotham, then intervened and ordered the arrest of Bentley and his cohorts. Three diggers were also arrested. What were they charged with?
5. As the miners rallied, the Ballarat Reform League was established. The licence raids intensified. After a meeting of about 10,000 diggers, a programme of reform was adopted. A deputation of miners was appointed to address Governor Hotham. What were their demands?
6. Governor Hotham's reaction to the delegation was "government by artillery". He sent a further detachment of troops to Ballarat under the command of Captain West. The diggers were furious and gathered at Bakery Hill. A meeting of over 12,000 convened. Finally they raised a new flag and swore allegiance. What was the flag's design?
7. When the miners met at Bakery Hill on 29th November, they discussed their options. They decided to burn their licences and when the Gold Commissioner ordered yet another licence check the next morning it was agreed they would take up arms. They elected a leader - an Irishman. Who was it?
8. The miners spent two days building a stockade near the burnt ruins of the Eureka Hotel and reinforcing it. They gathered rifles and pistols, fashioned pikes and other arms. By the evening of December 2nd many of the 2,000 diggers who had built the fort drifted away. Early on 3rd December, when only about 120 miners were left, the soldiers attacked. The battle lasted less than 30 minutes. What happened then?
9. Public reaction against Governor Hotham was strong. The "Little Rebellion" resulted in the abolition of the gold licensing system. Miners' rights were recognized. For £1 the digger could mine for gold and had the right to vote. What became of Peter Lalor?
10. The Eureka Stockade is considered to be the birthplace of the Australian political system. Freedom of speech, franchise and equality are among its legacies. Which 20th century Prime Minister was quoted as saying, "The Eureka revolution was an earnest attempt at democratic government."
Source: Author
Nannanut
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
bloomsby before going online.
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