The Eureka Rebellion: The History and Legacy of the Gold Miners’ Uprising against the British in Australia

This book is an overview and analysis of the global tradition of the outlaw hero. The mythology and history of the outlaw hero is traced from the Roman Empire to the present, showing how both real and mythic figures have influenced social, political, economic and cultural outcomes in many times and places. The book also looks at the contemporary continuations of the outlaw hero mythology, not only in popular culture and everyday life, but also in the current outbreak of global terrorism. The book also presents a more general argument related to the importance of understanding folk and popular mythologies in historical contexts. Outlaw heroes have a strong purchase in high and popular culture, appearing in film, books, plays, music, drama, art, even ballet. To simply ignore and discard such powerful expressions without understanding their origins, persistence and especially their ongoing cultural consequences, is to refuse the opportunity to comprehend some profoundly important aspects of human behaviour. These issues are pursued through discussion of the processes through which real and mythical outlaw heroes are romanticised, sentimentalised, sanitised, commodified and mythologised. The result is a new position in the continuing controversy over the existence the ‘social bandit'that highlights the central role of mythology in the creation and perpetuation of outlaw heroes. From the Swan River to the Hawkesbury, and from the sticky Arnhem Land mangrove to the soft green hills of Tasmania, this book describes the major conflicts fought on the Australian frontier to 1838. Based on extensive research and using overseas frontier wars to add perspective to the Australian experience, The Australian Frontier Wars, 1788-1838 will change our view of Australian history forever. Over the last thirty years, Australians have become increasingly aware that violence accompanied the colonisation of their continent. Historians have shown that the armed conflicts between Aborigines and British settlers and soldiers, though small in scale and sporadic in nature, can truly be described as 'wars'. However, a gap remains at the heart of our understanding of the Australian frontier: the actual warfare, and the weapons and tactics used to fight it, remain poorly understood.The Australian Frontier Wars is the first book-length military history of frontier conflict in Australia. Covering the first fifty years of British occupation in Australia, this book examines in detail how both sides fought on the frontier. It shows how Aborigines developed a new form of warfare that differed from their traditional methods. Already expert in raids and ambush, Aborigines now used these skills to attack the settlers' crops, stock and farmhouses. Raiding parties took goods and foodstuffs when they were useful, and destroyed them when they were not. When the terrain assisted these tactics, Aborigines were able temporarily to stop settlers occupying their land. While the British Army arrived in Australia with experience of frontier warfare in other parts of the Empire, it initially found it difficult to operate on the frontier. Aboriginal tactics overcame British muskets, and Aboriginal warriors evaded settlers and soldiers. However, once the British began using horses, they were able to track and attack Aboriginal groups, and gained the advantage that would bring them victory. The Australian Frontier Wars Is The First Book-length Military History Of Frontier Conflict In Australia. Covering The First Fifty Years Of British Occupation In Australia, This Book Examines In Detail How Both Sides Fought On The Frontier. It Shows How Aborigines Developed A New Form Of Warfare That Differed From Their Traditional Methods. Already Expert In Raids And Ambush, Aborigines Now Used These Skills To Attack The Settlers' Crops, Stock And Farmhouses. Raiding Parties Took Goods And Foodstuffs When They Were Useful, And Destroyed Them When They Were Not. When The Terrain Assisted These Tactics, Aborigines Were Able Temporarily To Stop Settlers Occupying Their Land. While The British Army Arrived In Australia With Experience Of Frontier Warfare In Other Parts Of The Empire, It Initially Found It Difficult To Operate On The Frontier. Aboriginal Tactics Overcame British Muskets, And Aboriginal Warriors Evaded Settlers And Soldiers. However, Once The British Began Using Horses, They Were Able To Track And Attack Aboriginal Groups, And Gained The Advantage That Would Bring Them Victory.--jacket. Warriors And Soldiers -- Sydney, 1788-1791 -- The Hawkesbury-nepean River, 1795-1816 -- The Bathurst And Hunter Valley Districts, 1822-1826 -- Northern And Western Australia, 1824-1834 -- Van Diemen's Land, 1826-1831 -- The Liverpool Plains And Port Phillip Districts, 1838. John Connor. Includes Bibliographical References ( P. [153]-165) And Index. From the Swan River to the Hawkesbury, and from the sticky Arnhem Land mangrove to the soft green hills of Tasmania, this book describes the major conflicts fought on the Australian frontier to 1838. Based on extensive research and using overseas frontier wars to add perspective to the Australian experience,'The Australian Frontier Wars 1788 - 1838'will change our view of Australian history forever. Pt. 1. Myths And Histories -- Pt. 2. Politics And Identities -- Pt. 3. Legends And Commodities -- Pt. 4. The Global Outlaw. Graham Seal. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Sets out the details, the people, the images and the after effects of the most important turning points in our nation's history