When penal transportation ceased to NSW in 1840, Sydney was still a large town of approximately 29,000 people. The next 50 years would see its transformation into a colonial city. In this course we look at the changes in Sydney’s society, politics, development and growth, to form the key elements of today’s city. We look at the impact of the gold rushes, the growth of transportation, urban development and the politics leading up to the 1890’s, when the debate about Federation would go into full swing.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Atlas of the Suburbs of Sydney, https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/atlas_of_the_suburbs_of_sydney

COURSE OUTLINE

• A snapshot of Sydney in 1840: Parliament, Sydney’s population, economy, and society
• The 1840’s – migration from England, the growth of state politics, a university proposed, train considered. Darlinghurst goal, Caroline Chisholm. Economic depression and failure of banks
• 1850 – economic depression ends with the growth of the gold rushes, the first trains, the arrival of the telegraph within Australia, the wreck of the Dunbar, men’s right to vote
• 1860s to 1880s, growth in infrastructure, water supply, horse drawn trams, social issues.
• 1880s – urban development, the slums of inner city, the growth of suburbs, increasing development of train linkages throughout the state, crime in Sydney, the Rocks Push gang
• 1890s – unionism, literature, women suffrage still to come, concept of Federation

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the significance of the period 1840-1890 in Sydney’s growth and development
2. Recognise the social and political events of Sydney in this period, e.g., the increasing urbanisation of NSW, the political arguments of the era
3. Reflect on the way this period of time may still influence aspects of the city’s geography and institutions, e.g., public reserves, buildings, Parliament