Jessica Smith
The role and impact of the Ballarat Reform League in the events of the Eureka Stockade
People came to Victoria in the early 1850's, bringing with them many economic, social, political and religious attitudes. They came from over thirty countries, particularly from Europe and North America, following the industrial revolution in the early 19th century and the many wars in Europe. In August 1851, a month after gold was discovered, the new Victorian government put in place laws saying that large licence fees would be given for the right to dig. This became very unpopular, but the major irritant was the heavy handed and at times corrupt administration at the gold fields by the local officials, who ended up collecting licence fees on armed hunts.
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