Includes bibliographical references and index.

Arrival in Australia -- Free settlers -- Aborigines and European settlers -- The gold rush -- The Eureka Stockade -- New South Wales and Tasmania -- Victoria and South Australia -- Queensland and Western Australia -- Linking the colonies -- The crisis of the 1890's -- Australian nationalism -- The federal idea -- The Federal Council -- Sir Henry Parkes -- The 1890 Conference -- What form of federation? -- The First Federal Convention -- The people's conventions -- New Zealand stays out -- The Second Federal Convention -- The referendums -- The United Kingdom approves -- The birth of a nation -- The first national elections -- The new parliament -- Sir Edmund Barton -- Voting rights for women -- A new capital.

"A history of the settlement and founding of Australia, based on primary source documents and other historical artifacts. Features include period art works and photographs; excerpts from literary works, letters, speeches, broadcasts, and diaries; summary boxes; a timeline; maps; and a list of additional resources"--Provided by publisher.