A dog in the manger: White Australia and its vast empty spaces
McGregor, Russell (2012) A dog in the manger: White Australia and its vast empty spaces. Australian Historical Studies, 43 (2). pp. 157-173.
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Abstract
Between the world wars Australia was commonly characterised as a dog in the manger for failing to utilise vast tracts of its territory while refusing to relax its stringent restrictions on immigration. This article examines interwar responses to the dog-in-the manger accusation, particularly their implications for the environmental representation of the supposedly empty spaces. I argue that Australians' increasing acceptance of the aridity of their continent over this period was substantially driven by a need to project abroad an image of a nation acting responsibly in a world of escalating population pressures.
| Item ID: | 22338 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1940-5049 |
| Keywords: | White Australia policy; Environmental History; Australia; Australia - History; 20th century Australia - History demographic |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Jul 2012 03:48 |
| FoR Codes: | 21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2103 Historical Studies > 210303 Australian History (excl Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History) @ 100% |
| SEO Codes: | 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9505 Understanding Past Societies > 950503 Understanding Australias Past @ 100% |
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