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The Eureka Stockade is regarded as the birthplace of democracy in Australia. It marked a turning point on the Australian goldfields because it led to the miners gaining government representation, and thus an improvement in their working conditions.

In the Eureka Stockade rebellion, the gold miners stood up against the miner's licence, which cost a monthly fee of 30 shillings and allowed the holder to work a tiny 3.6 metre square "claim". Licences had to be paid whether or not a digger found any gold. There were frequent licence hunts, during which the miners were ordered to produce proof of their licences, and this increased the sense of unrest.

In November 1854, the miners burned their licences in a mass display of resistance against the laws which controlled the miners. Following a widespread licence hunt the following day, on November 30, Irish immigrant and goldminer Peter Lalor was chosen to lead the rebellion.

On December 1, the miners began to construct a wooden barricade, a rather flimsy stockade from which they planned to make their stand against further licence arrests or other unreasonable displays of authority. Early in the morning on Sunday, 3 December 1854, 276 police and military personnel and several civilians stormed the stockade. It's unknown which side fired first, but ultimately 22 diggers and 5 troopers died in the battle that followed.

Although the Eureka rebellion itself failed in what it set out to do, it gained the attention of the Government. Following a Commission of Enquiry, changes were put in place. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by an affordable annual miner's licence. The numbers of troopers were reduced significantly, and Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields.

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The Eureka stockade is considered to be the birthplace of democracy in Australia. This was when the gold miners on the Ballarat goldfields rebelled against the monthly gold licence, not to mention the surprise licence checks which could result in people being thrown in gaol.

The events of the Eureka Stockade gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry followed and changes were made. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by a much more affordable annual miner's licence. There were fewer troopers on the goldfields, and intrusive spot-checks ceased.

Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields. Peter Lalor and another representative, John Basson Humffray, were elected for Ballarat. Later, Lalor was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy.

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11y ago
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The Eureka Stockade is regarded as the birthplace of democracy in Australia. This event was when the gold miners on the Ballarat goldfields rebelled against the monthly gold licence, not to mention the surprise licence checks which could result in people being thrown in gaol.
The events of the Eureka Stockade gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry followed and changes were made. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by a much more affordable annual miner's licence. There were fewer troopers on the goldfields, and intrusive spot-checks ceased.

Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields. Peter Lalor and another representative, John Basson Humffray, were elected for Ballarat. Later, Lalor was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy.

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10y ago
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The Eureka stockade had a significant impact on the future development of Australia. It was considered to be the birthplace of democracy in Australia. This was when the gold miners on the Ballarat goldfields rebelled against the monthly gold licence, not to mention the surprise licence checks which could result in people being thrown in gaol.

The events of the Eureka Stockade gained the attention of the Government. A Commission of Enquiry followed and changes were made. These included abolishing the monthly gold licences, which were replaced by a much more affordable annual miner's licence. There were fewer troopers on the goldfields, and intrusive spot-checks ceased.

Legislative Council was expanded to allow representation to the major goldfields. Peter Lalor and another representative, John Basson Humffray, were elected for Ballarat. Later, Lalor was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. For these reasons, the Eureka Stockade is regarded by many as the birthplace of Australian Democracy.

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11y ago
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Q: What change did the Eureka stockade bring to Australia?
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