The Impact of Federation

Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum
Subject: History
Year Level: Year 9
Strand: Humanities and Social Sciences (History)
Content Area: The Making of the Modern World / Australia
Focus: The causes and effects of Federation and the development of the Australian nation.

Students will explore the historical events leading to Federation, and its impact on shaping modern Australia, with a focus on critical thinking, group collaboration, and creative engagement to foster a deeper understanding of Australian identity.

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Lesson Overview

Duration: 45 minutes
Learning Objectives:

• Explain the events leading to Federation and its significance to Australia.
• Describe how Federation impacted Australian identity, government, and society.
• Collaborate and apply knowledge creatively to discuss the consequences of Federation.

Key Skills Focus: Historical knowledge, critical analysis, creative thinking, collaboration.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Activity – Entry Question Group Chat
Upon arriving, divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students around their desks. Write the following discussion question on the board:
“What is one thing that makes Australia unique compared to other countries?”

• Groups have 3 minutes to brainstorm responses and one representative summarises their answer for the class.
• Record key ideas on the board in a brainstorm diagram. Connect these ideas to the importance of having shared national values and identity, which Federation helped formalise.

Transition Statement: “Today, we’ll dive into how Federation played a big part in shaping modern Australia and answering questions like: Why Federation? What changed because of it? And what does it mean for us today?”

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2. Content Exploration (15 minutes)

Part 1: Key Facts About Federation

Provide a short, interactive presentation or lead a class discussion about Federation. Use clear, age-appropriate language while highlighting key facts:

• Australia became a nation on 1st January 1901, bringing together six colonies.
• Key reasons behind Federation:
  • Better defence.
  • A unified economy (removing trade tariffs).
  • Consistent laws.
• Significant figures: Sir Henry Parkes (“Father of Federation”), Alfred Deakin, etc.
• New national identity: first Australian Parliament, new Constitution, and Government structure.

Promote engagement by asking the class:

• “What do you think would have been the hardest part about uniting six colonies with different needs and identities?”

Part 2: Unique Australian Impacts

Highlight changes that Federation brought to everyday Australians, including:

• Voting rights for many (but not all, e.g., exclusion of many Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders).
• The national capital born as a compromise – Canberra.
• The Parliamentary system and development of "Australian-ness".

Add fun, surprising facts to capture attention, e.g., “Did you know? We voted on the design for the Australian flag in a public competition after Federation!”

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3. Engaging Activity (20 minutes)

Activity – Create Your Own United Nation
Students will work in small groups to simulate a Federation process. They will:

1. Be assigned a fictional “colony” (e.g., "Bushland", "Seacoast", or "Sunnyside"). Each colony has made-up strengths, challenges, and demands (teacher to prepare these beforehand).
2. Work collaboratively to decide what compromises they would negotiate to join together as one nation. Discussion points include:
   • What powers should belong to the “federal” government vs. local “state” governments?
   • What symbol would represent their shared country (e.g., flag, mascot)?
3. Each group presents their compromises and design to the class in a 1-minute summary pitch.

Class Discussion Wrap-up: Reflect on the activity.

• “What challenges did you experience when trying to unite your colonies?”
• “How do you think this compares to the real Federation of Australia?”

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4. Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

Activity – Think, Pair, Share
Ask the students:

• “What do you think makes Federation one of the most important moments in Australian history?”
• Students have 2 minutes to write their responses, pair with a partner to discuss, and then share their insights with the class.

Exit Challenge:
Ask students to name one thing they’ve learnt today that surprised them about Federation as they pack up.

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Assessment and Extension

• Formative Assessment: Listening to group discussions and class participation to gauge understanding.
• Extension Opportunity: For early finishers or homework, ask students to research how specific groups in society, such as Aboriginal peoples or women, were affected by Federation.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers.
• Pre-prepared “colony” profiles for the group activity.
• Basic research materials (students’ notebooks, or printed fact sheets).

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Teacher WOW Moment

This lesson combines critical curriculum content with hands-on, student-driven learning. By allowing students to actively "form a nation," it blends historical understanding with negotiation skills and creativity, which will keep them engaged and leave a lasting impression.