Sunday, 7 September 2008

Resource Questions.

As promised here are the (abbreviated) answers to the 2005 paper:To get Merit you need to provide informed (Your own knowledge) and for Excellence you need perceptive analysis. (Describe How or Why events happened/the results of ...)

POINTS OF VIEW & HISTORICAL IDEAS

Resource A - The two editorials

Identify Different points of view - how and why they are held.

You were expected to identify that the 'Lyttleton Times' identifies the Liberals as winners of the election because voters 'stayed true to Liberal principles', while the 'Poverty Bay Herald' believes the Government won and still 'have a majority'.Merit or Excellence answers identify Ballance (Liberals) and Atkinson (Continous Ministry)as the opposing leaders. The Liberals then began a program of social legislation. The differing points of view may reflect regional support for the Liberal with much of its support in the South Island. Key pieces of legislation covered land reform, suffrage and industrial relations. (named legislation with general discussion of their effects)

Resource B - Canterbury Wheat Fields. What economy and political developments in NZ's led to changes in Canterbury farming.You should identify the 'shrinkage' field in 1863 averaged 30,000 acres, with much of the wheat going to Otago (Miners) by 1903 the average was down to 350 acres with a greater diversification (variety) of crops.Merit or Excellence answers note the wheat boom of the 1870's and 1880's brought about by the rise in populaltion (thank-you Vogel) development of Infrastructure (road & rail) allowed more what to be transported. In the 1890's the Liberals broke up the the Great Estates betting more 'small men' onto the land. Refrigeration also made small farms more economic.

HISTORICAL RELATIONSHIPS

Resource C - The Moutoa Battle Memorial.How perspectives (viewpoints) of past events have changed over time.You were expected to identify when the battle was fought it was between those fighting for 'law and order' and 'fanatics and barbarians'. Today it is seen as a civil war fought between relatives.Merit or Excellence answers identifies the Upper Whanganui Iwi accepting Pai Marire (Hau Hau) and coming into conflict with the Lower Whanganui Iwi who wanted to protect the advantage they gained from having the Pakeha nearby. The memorial is from the perspective of Pakeha who supported kupapa tribes. The Te Papa exhibit is from the viewpoint of the Whangaui Iwi showing the grief and tension of the time which is reflected in recent occupations at Moutoa Gardens.

Resource D - The Sin of Cheapness.According to Reverend Waddell the lust for bargains, drove down prices, leading to lower wages and for many workers to be below the poverty line. (think todays Middle Class consumerism and the Big Red Shed style wages)Merit or Excellence answers noted that Dunedin was harder hit by the Long Depression because of the Gold rushes and Vogel immigration. The Depression hurt the South hardest, with factors beyond the employers control. As prices fell employers were forced to cut wages and conditions. Waddell's agitation led to inquiries and to increased support for the Liberals in 1890. Belich has described this period as the 'Long Stagnation'. Real incomes fell.

THE USEFULNESS OR RELIABILITY OF EVIDENCE

For EACH of the following 2 resources you MUST make a statement about how useful they might be and give an example.

Resource E - A Migrants Journey.It could be a good starting point for a historian. On initial viewing this resources appear to show both positive and negative effects of migration (requires examples). It does not seem overly biased.Excellence answers noted much of the material supplied by Migration agents was heavily biased (remember the 2 posters 'Here and There' and 'The Needle Woman'?) and this seems to provide a more balanced viewpoint. It was published in NZ and probably reflects a common experience. It would be very useful to an historian.

Resource F - Governor GreyThis source identifies Greys achievements in his first term as Governor but the language and tone are biased, and inaccurate. As a source it is flawed and would not be useful.An Excellence answer may identify the idea that this book is all about Empire not New Zealand. Also note the patronising tone of the material towards Maori (crafty and insolent) . Belich has noted the British did not 'win' the Northern War and that is the reason Heke did not have to give up any land. Grey undermined the Treaty in his treatment of Te Rauparaha (Kidnapped & held without trial), he did not uphold the Treaty, the source is thus not reliable.

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