Australia's Dark Past: The Stolen Generations

Questions: 5

Grade: 9

Words: 181

Text

Text & Questions

Text, Questions & Answers

In the heart of Australia's history lies a dark period known as the Stolen Generations. This term is used to describe the tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by the Australian government and church missions between 1910 and 1970. The driving force behind this act was an assimilation policy. The policy was guided by the belief that indigenous people would die out and the only way to 'save' them was to 'westernize' or 'Europeanize' their descendants. Children were taken away from their families, stripped of their cultural identity, and placed in institutions where they were trained in Western ways. The psychological and social impacts on these children and their families were severe, leading to a loss of cultural identity and a cycle of disadvantage that continues to this day. On February 13, 2008, Australia's then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, issued a national apology to the victims of the Stolen Generations. This apology acknowledged the pain and suffering caused by these policies and was a significant step towards healing and reconciliation for Australia's indigenous people.

Question 1

What is the term used to describe the period when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families?

The Lost Children

The Stolen Generations

Explanation. The Stolen Generations refers to the period when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families by the Australian government and church missions.

The Abducted Youth

The Displaced Descendants

The Taken Offspring

Question 2

What was the main reason for the Australian government removing these children from their families?

To provide them with better schooling

To introduce them to Western culture

To protect them from family violence

To assimilate them into Western society

Explanation. The main reason for this act was an assimilation policy, aiming to 'westernize' or 'Europeanize' their descendants.

To save them from poverty

Question 3

What were some of the impacts on the children from the Stolen Generations and their families?

Loss of cultural identity and a cycle of advantage

Enhanced educational opportunities and improved health

Loss of cultural identity and a cycle of disadvantage

Explanation. The psychological and social impacts on these children and their families were severe, leading to a loss of cultural identity and a cycle of disadvantage.

Increased economic prosperity and social mobility

Improved living conditions and quality of life

Question 4

Who issued a national apology to the victims of the Stolen Generations?

John Howard

Julia Gillard

Tony Abbott

Kevin Rudd

Explanation. On February 13, 2008, Australia's then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, issued a national apology to the victims of the Stolen Generations.

Malcolm Turnbull

Question 5

True or False: The policy behind the Stolen Generations was guided by the belief that indigenous people would die out.

True

Explanation. The policy was guided by the belief that indigenous people would die out and the only way to 'save' them was to 'westernize' or 'Europeanize' their descendants.