Read the Defining Moment in Australian history: 1890 Depression and strikes; formation of the Labor Party. Use that information to answer these questions.

1. During the 1890s Australia experienced an economic depression. What does this mean?

2. How would an economic depression harm working people?

3. In 1890 workers at ports went on strike. What does this mean?

4. Other unions went on strike to support the maritime workers. How could this have helped their likelihood of success in their strike?

5. How did the employers respond?

6. How did being in an economic depression strengthen the ability of employers against the strikers?

7. What was the outcome of the maritime strike?

8. There was also a shearers’ strike against wage cuts, and attempts to use non-union shearers. Why would shearers want a unionised work force, and why would employers oppose it?

9. How were the strikes in Queensland defeated?

10. Why did the failure of strikes lead to the formation of a Labor Party representing workers through its members of parliament?

11. When did the new Labor Party win government in Queensland, and in the Australian parliament?

12. What does this event help you understand about how living and working conditions had changed in Australia by 1900?

13. Why was this Defining Moment so significant in Australian history?

14. If you were advising the National Museum of Australia on an object that it could display to tell the story of this event, what would you suggest? (You can see what objects they actually have using the National Museum of Australia collections search)