What was the Eureka Stockade/Rebellion?
The Eureka Rebellion of year 1854 was a historically significant event organised rebellion of the gold miners of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, who revolted against the colonial authority of the United Kingdom. The Battle of the Eureka Stockade (by which the rebellion is popularly known) was fought between miners and the Colonial forces of Australia on 3 December 1854 at Eureka Lead and named for the stockade structure erected by miners during the conflict. Resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, the majority of whom were rebels, it was the most significant conflict in the colonial history of Victoria.
The rebellion came about because the goldfield workers (known as 'diggers') opposed the government miners' licences. The licences were a simple way for the government to tax the diggers. Licence fees had to be paid regardless of whether a digger's claim resulted in any gold. Less successful diggers found it difficult to pay their licence fees.
In the early hours of Sunday, 3rd December , several hundred soldiers and police attacked the stockade. Reports about the number of government troops vary, but they outnumbered the diggers, and were better equipped. There were only about 200 or so miners left inside the Stockade, and they were quickly defeated. The battle lasted just 20 minutes. Numbers vary, but about twenty two diggers and five soldiers were killed. One of their leaders, Peter Lalor, was badly wounded and went into hiding. Thirteen miners were charged with treason (a crime against a monarch or a government), for which they could be hanged if found guilty. However, they were all acquitted at their trial and set free.
A few months later, in March 1855, a Commission which had investigated the situation gave its report to the government. Everything the Commission recommended was done, and all the diggers' demands were met. A law was passed to allow the vote to any licenced miner. The licence now cost one pound a year, instead of 8 pounds for a year. The powerful (and hated) position of Gold Commissioner was replaced by a system of wardens.
The rebellion came about because the goldfield workers (known as 'diggers') opposed the government miners' licences. The licences were a simple way for the government to tax the diggers. Licence fees had to be paid regardless of whether a digger's claim resulted in any gold. Less successful diggers found it difficult to pay their licence fees.
In the early hours of Sunday, 3rd December , several hundred soldiers and police attacked the stockade. Reports about the number of government troops vary, but they outnumbered the diggers, and were better equipped. There were only about 200 or so miners left inside the Stockade, and they were quickly defeated. The battle lasted just 20 minutes. Numbers vary, but about twenty two diggers and five soldiers were killed. One of their leaders, Peter Lalor, was badly wounded and went into hiding. Thirteen miners were charged with treason (a crime against a monarch or a government), for which they could be hanged if found guilty. However, they were all acquitted at their trial and set free.
A few months later, in March 1855, a Commission which had investigated the situation gave its report to the government. Everything the Commission recommended was done, and all the diggers' demands were met. A law was passed to allow the vote to any licenced miner. The licence now cost one pound a year, instead of 8 pounds for a year. The powerful (and hated) position of Gold Commissioner was replaced by a system of wardens.