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One of the main reasons was miscommunication. The Aborigines did not understand the European concept of ownership, and believed that the easy prey of sheep and cattle were there for everyone to share. Naturally, the Europeans had quite a different view on this, and often organised revenge attacks on aboriginal tribes for slaughtering their livestock. The Europeans also drove Aborigines away from their tribal lands. The land was very important to the Aborigines: where they were born was where they would die. It was part of their very soul. The Europeans invaded their land, took over and drove them away, deeper into the dry desert areas. Europeans took over watering holes, and many a skirmish was had over who was going to use the waterhole. Cultural differences caused another set of problems. An example was when Captain Arthur Phillip went to greet a local aboriginal chief, putting out his hand confidently to shake hands. this was perceived by the Aborigines as an act of aggression, and Phillip was speared in the shoulder.

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Q: Why did the Europeans and Aborigines fight?
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When the first Europeans came to Australia where were the Aborigines living?

Australia


What did Europeans do to Aborigines?

The Europeans did a great many things to the Aborigines. When the white settlers came, the Aborigines were dispossessed of their land and, much later, "encouraged" onto reserves, supposedly for their protection. They were forced off their traditional hunting grounds, and herded away from the fertile coastal areas where there was plenty of food. White settlers wrecked the very effective native fishing traps, cleared native habitats and reduced the native food supplies, as well as polluting their water. Massacres of the indigenous people occurred on a regular basis. The Coniston massacre, the massacre at Myall Creek, the "Battle of Risdon" in Tasmania and many others, all were perpetrated against the Aborigines by the Europeans. There were years of conflict between Tasmanian Aborigines and white settlers which eventually resulted in the loss of the purebred aboriginal race from Tasmania - virtually genocide. The Europeans also introduced foods and diseases, all of which were perfectly harmless to the white settlers, but lowered the life expectancy of the aboriginal people. Simple diseases like Measles and Influenza had devastating effects on Aborigines. Foods containing wheat and sugar resulted in heart disease and obesity among the indigenous Australians. Europeans introduced new flora and fauna which took over native habitat, leading to the extinction of many plants and animals on which the Aborigines relied. When the aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families, this directly led to a loss of culture, language, customs and traditions among the Aborigines. When the Europeans first came to Australia, there were around 250 different aboriginal languages in Australia. There is just a fraction of that number now. Many stories from the aboriginal Dreaming (creation legends) have disappeared forever.


How did John McDouall Stuart react towards the aborigines?

John McDouall Stuart had a policy of never firing on the Aborigines first. He respected the indigenous people, and sought friendly relations whenever he could. Admittedly, at times he was forced by hostile natives to retreat from his mission to cross the continent - but he never fired first. However, like many Europeans, he held strong Christian beliefs: as he raised the Union Jack in central Australia, he hoped it would be a sign to the Aborigines that "the dawn of Christianity" had begun in Australia, and that the Europeans would be able to enlighten the native people.


How were the aboriginal people mistreated?

I think you mean "How were the Aboriginals mistreated by the European Settlers?" If that's what you meant, well the Aboriginal people were believed to be racially inferior to the European people. The Europeans mistreated them by abusing them in many disgusting ways and made them live in missons. Now Missions were town-like areas where Aboriginal people were forced to stay, in an attempt to teach them to behave like the Europeans, however they were mainly children and young adults, thus referring to the Stolen Generation. These people were whipped, beaten and sometimes isolated. They received food rations and were being forced to convert to Christianity and exhibit the dogma of the Europeans.


Was Ludwig Leichhardt the explorer exploring with a party of other people?

Yes. His party was made up of severn Europeans and two Aborigines. Some of Ludwig Leichhardt's exploration party included: John Gilbert, John Roper, James Calvert, John Murphy and Aborigines Harry Brown and Charley Fisher.

Related questions

What are 3 Aztec similarities with the Australian aborigines?

1. They both were invaded by the Europeans. 2. They both had the same colour skin. 3. They both didn't have the right weapons to fight the Europeans.


What did the aborigines do for the Europeans when they arrived in Australia?

aborigines have increased in population since europeans began arriving in australia is this true or false wikipedia answers


Why were the aborigines killed by the Europeans?

the aboriginals fought with the European settlers because they europeans were taking over their land.


Who were the First Settlers or the Europeans?

aborigines is the first settlers


What cultures have interacted with the aborigines?

Prior to the Europeans arriving in Australia, the Macassans (an Indonesian people) traded with the Aborigines.


When the first Europeans came to Australia the Aborigines were living in a what?

The first Europeans came to Australia and the Aborigines were living on reserves. Reserves are lands that were set aside for the use of registered Indians.


When the first Europeans came to Australia where were the Aborigines living?

Australia


How did the aborigines help the europeans?

Easy, they gave the Europeans knowledge of medicine, and plants. They also gave the Europeans knowledge of Geography, and gave them food.


What were the 3 main difficulty the Australian aborigines faced when the europeans arrived?

ghdi


What was the greatest threat to the Aborigines after the Europeans began settling Australia?

Diseases brought with them.


What did the European think of the Aboriginals?

the aborigines didn't think too much of the europeans. they fought and attacked the europeans. they didn' t like the europeans invading their 'home'.


Why didn't the Europeans care about the Aborigines?

because of their colour and because of their eating/living habits