What was life like for kids on the goldfields?

What was life like for kids on the goldfields?

Life on the goldfields was particularly harsh on children. They were often used as a source of labour and could earn small amounts of money for errands. Their young immune systems were still developing and children were highly susceptible to diseases that sometimes ran through mining communities.

What did Peter Lalor do in the Eureka Stockade for kids?

He made the miners promise to protect each other, and their rights and liberties. He told the miners to get weapons and be ready in case they were attacked by the police and government troops. Lalor became the new leader of the League. They built a small fort, or stockade, at Eureka in east Ballarat.

What was life like for children in the Australian gold rush?

Bringing up a child on the goldfields was often difficult and dangerous. Fires were commonplace and, in 1904, three girls (3 years, 2 years and 8 months) died tragically in one Boulder fire. Accidents, some fatal, took place in the many shafts around towns and children died from diseases such as diphtheria.

What did the miners do in the Eureka Stockade?

The miners refused to cooperate, and burned their licences and stoned police. Several miners were seriously wounded. On 30 November, 500 miners gathered under the Eureka flag and elected Peter Lalor as their leader. They swore to fight together against police and military.

What jobs were there on the goldfields?

Although doctors and lawyers came to the goldfields, most diggers were tradesmen such as blacksmiths, builders, butchers, carpenters and shoemakers. They were well educated and most could read and write. Some people came to the diggings from nearby cities and towns by coach or on foot.

When was Peter Lalor died?

February 9, 1889
Peter Lalor/Date of death

What was life like for children in the 1850s?

Young boys often worked in mines or as assistants to labourers and shopkeepers, while young girls would train as maids or seamstresses (women who sew clothes) but would only work until they were married (because after that they were expected to be full-time mothers and housewives).

How many died at the Eureka Stockade?

At least five soldiers died of wounds inflicted. Private William Webb, 19 years, died on the 5th December from gunshot wounds….List of Those Killed at Eureka.

What were jobs during the Gold Rush?

Blacksmith: Blacksmiths were essential to the Gold Rush. Their ability to shape and repair metal goods pro- vided a steady stream of work. Blacksmiths repaired mining tools, mended wagons, and made other goods. Moses Prudhomme was a Canadian who came around Cape Horn to California in 1857.

What was the Eureka Stockade and why was it important?

The “Eureka Stockade” was the digger’s rebellion against the gold licence and wrongfully accused. August 1851 an official Gold licence was issued out to all Gold diggers whether they had or had not found gold. The licence cost 30 shillings each month, two years later in 1853 the cost was reduced to pounds every three months.

What happened at the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat?

…an armed rebellion known as Eureka Stockade, in which about 25 miners, demanding political reform and the abolition of licenses, were shot down by the military; the incident is commemorated by a memorial and the Eureka Stockade Centre. Ballarat became a municipality in 1855, a borough in 1863, and a….

What happened to the miners at Eureka?

Irish miner Peter Lalor became the leader of the miners. They built a fort, or stockade, on Bakery Hill above the gold diggings on the Eureka gold lead. They were attacked by the British Army. More than 30 people were killed. The battle went for 20 minutes. The miners made their own flag which was flown at the Eureka Stockade.

What happened after the Eureka cliff incident?

After the eureka stockade, the government changed to Democracy, which meant that all men could vote and also the licence got really cheap. But more than 22 people died in the Eureka stockade . How has the Eureka Stockade shape Australia’s identity?