Question

what has been the impact of European Colonialissm on the demography and settlement patterns of Aboriginal Ausdtralians and Maori People ?

Answer 1

Early political geography of the continent was characterized by the European conquest of Australia and Oceania. The discovery began in the 16th century when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed on the islands of Mariana. European colonization was fueled by a desire to preserve nationalistic identity, expand opportunities for trade and spread Christian faith. The most powerful colonial forces in the region were Britain, France , Germany and Spain. Today, many countries have a majority of European populations and a strong European culture , especially Australia , New Zealand and New Caledonia. English is the dominant language in most parts of the continent.

Throughout the colonial era the indigenous peoples were treated harshly. European powers claimed the lands of Australia and Oceania as their own because they treated them as terra nullius, or a "no man's land" populated by heathen people. Colonizers had their own government, land management, and trade structures introduced. Such actions have had serious implications which are still impacting indigenous communities and their cultural structures today.

During World War II and the Cold War the foreign forces also transformed the political landscape of Australia and Oceania. During WWII the Pacific Theater became the main war zone between Japan and the Allies. Around 1942 and 1945, more than 215,000 Japanese, Australian, and American soldiers perished at the south Pacific Theater. Coral Sea Combat was fought in the waters between Australia , New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought against the Imperial Japanese Navy by American and Australian forces, was notable, as it was the first war in history involving aircraft carriers.

Aboriginal Australians, like the Maori, can be defined as a marginalized population, or a group of people treated as less important than most people. Aboriginal people suffer from extremely high disease, crime and unemployment rates. Life expectancy for Aborigines is around 18 to 19 years lower than for non-Aboriginal citizens.

In the worst cases, people of power refused to accept Indigenous Australians as individual to justify extreme acts of aboriginal brutality. These colonial attitudes of the 18th century set in motion events and policies, and established systems and institutions that continue to affect indigenous people today , despite determined efforts by indigenous peoples to resist and overcome this adversity.