War is one of the worst things that can happen to human beings. Unfortunately, genocide is even worse, as extermination of people according to their specific belonging to a group or nationality is most inhumane. Not only it is scary and animal-like, it leaves a permanent mark on the people. One of the worst examples of genocide was one towards the Aboriginals of Australia.
Australian continent is a diverse environment with a rich history and prosperous future. The major changes began in the 1850s when development of the country began. Since the earliest days of the late 18th century, it was a British colony which was taken as English land, and not Australian Natives’.
Primarily, Australia was thought to be a far off land where indigenous people were abundant and technology non-existent. During the hundred years, from 1800 to 1900, the United Kingdom would establish separate colonies that divided Australia into distinct and unique regions. From the beginning, Australia had a reputation of being a penal colony but mostly, Tasmania and Southern Australia were used for such purposes (Macintyre 2009).
There is factual evidence that genocide was the worst pressure Aboriginals have felt in a long time. The systematic extermination of native population with an advantage of technology is no doubt genocide. The fact is that no matter how high and morally correct the invaders’ goals might be, they are still prejudiced by rules and politics that cannot allow understanding.
The cruel nature of the act, clearly illustrates the human character of greed and land pursuit. Not only the English killed and injured native people, but the resolution was not achieved to any degree (Hirst 2010). But, according to the British and other countries who had colonies, it is believed that overpowering of natives is not genocide. It is simply a part of the natural world, as nations become curious and they explore. By finding people, they want to “help” them become more civilized by teaching the colonizers’ culture and rules.
It seems strange that genocide and civil wars, as well as rebellions against governments, are taking place and the peacekeeping organization is not able to achieve any cessation of violence (Tatz 1999). The rules and policies produced by the international laws state that as long as there is intent to systematically get rid of a group of people and there is the act itself, it is genocide (The crime of “genocide” defined in international law).
Australian Aboriginals were full of fear that a group of foreign invaders will be able to overtake a country that is unarmed (Elder 2008). This is the worst type of war because it is not a fight for ideals or moral justice; it has a very low and disrespectful reason to exist. Most of all, it is sanctioned by governments, as great resources—numbers of soldiers, weapons, supplies and other supporting factors are greatly needed by the invading side.
Australia is one of many examples where genocide took place. But even though it might seem like the matter of the past, there is genocide in the modern days. People have been blind to the history and what lessons it teaches (Moses 2004).
The war on certain people because of who they are or what their beliefs might be is the most despicable act of war and act of human violence. The need to possess the land and power can engulf whole nations. But, awareness brings the understanding and the want of people to reach world peace. It is a very respectable cause and a lot has been accomplished, but the amount of countries and people participating in peacekeeping is too small, compared to those who upset the order.
Works Cited
Elder, Bruce. Australia. Chatswood, Austraia: New Holland Publishers, 2008. Print.
Hirst, John. Looking for Australia: Historical Essays. Melbourne, Australia: Black Inc, 2010. Print.
Macintyre, Stuart. A Concise History of Australia. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Print.
Moses, Dirk. Genocide and Settler Society. Oxford, NY: Berghahn Books, 2004.
Tatz, Colin 1999. Genocid in Australia. Camberra. PDF file. Web.
The crime of “genocide” defined in internation law. n.d. Web. <http://www.preventgenocide.org/genocide/officialtext.htm>