Evaluate the social and economic effects of the gold rushes in Australia.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the social and economic effects of the gold rushes in Australia, weighing up the positive and negative effects. There does not need to be equal coverage of social and economic effects but both aspects will be a feature of the response. In their evaluation of the social effects of the gold rushes candidates may refer to the trebling of Australia’s population due to an influx of people from overseas. Although this had many positive benefits, in terms of the development of towns, candidates may also argue that it led to racial tensions and high crime rates. Candidates may also refer to the beginnings of an Australian identity as “mateship” developed between the gold diggers. Economic effects were generally positive and candidates may refer to the development of cities and infrastructure and an increased standard of living.