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Their fiery cross of union : a retelling of the creation of the Australian federation, 1889-1914 / William Oliver Coleman.

Their fiery cross of union : a retelling of the creation of the Australian federation, 1889-1914 / William Oliver Coleman.
Catalogue Information
Field name Details
ISBN 1922449660
9781922449665
Author Coleman, William, 1959- (author)
Title Their fiery cross of union : a retelling of the creation of the Australian federation, 1889-1914 / William Oliver Coleman.
Portion of title Retelling of the creation of the Australian federation, 1889-1914
Publisher and/or associated date/s Redland Bay, Queensland : Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd, 2021.
Description xvii, 447 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 344-372) and indexes.
Summary The Federation in 1901 of the six Australian colonies into a single Commonwealth is the most researched episode in Australian history. Yet almost every page of this history rests on an underlying 'affirmative premise': that the Federation of 1901 was begotten by commendable ideals, led by remarkable men, and pursued by democratic processes. It was a natural thing - fitting, functional, and almost inevitable. And it was, surely, for the good in its effects; and, at the very least, a mark of progress in Australian life, in everything from telegraphy to sporting fixtures. In Their Fiery Cross of Union William Coleman retells the making of Australia's federation unencumbered by any 'affirmative' premise. He argues Federation was the accidental upshot of a contest for personal political supremacy; that the cause's leadership was mediocre; its democracy superficial, its motivations banal, its ideals more imperial than patriotic, and its consequences injurious to Australia's economic welfare, military security, industrial peace, and social harmony. Australia's Federation was at least one generation premature, and badly botched, with enduring consequences. Not just another recital of the familiar 'Federation story', Their Fiery Cross of Union is a fresh and searching look at the foundational event of Australia's political existence.
Subjects Centenary of Federation, Australia, 2001
Democracy -- Australia -- History
New democracies -- Australia
Federal government -- Australia -- History
Australia -- History -- 1851-1901
Australia -- History -- 1788-1900
Australia -- History -- 19th century
Australia -- History -- 20th century
Australia -- Politics and government -- 19th century
Australia -- Politics and government -- 20th century
Call number 2022.221
Catalogue Information 100082223 Beginning of record . Catalogue Information 100082223 Top of page .
Item Information
Barcode Shelf Location Collection Volume Ref. Status Due Date
A00958600 2022.221
General Collection   . Available to Museum Staff .  
. Catalogue Record 100082223 ItemInfo Beginning of record . Catalogue Record 100082223 ItemInfo Top of page .