act. 1 wk. 9 New Zealand History

History:

 

New Zealand dates back at least 700 years to when it was settled and discovered by Polynesians who developed the Maori culture. The first explorer to sight new Zealand was Abel Janszoon Tasman he found new Zealand in December on the 13th 1642 he was 55-56 when he found New Zealand. From the late 18th century, the country was regularly visited by explorers and other sailors, missionaries, traders, and adventurers. In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and various Māori chiefs, bringing New Zealand into the British Empire and giving Māori “equal rights” with British citizens.

 

Conflict & Growth

Māori came under increasing pressure to sell their land for settlement.This led to conflict and in the 1860s, war broke out in the North Island. The Much Māori land was confiscated or bought during or after 20 years of war.

Sheep farming was established on extensive grasslands, and Canterbury became the country’s wealthiest province. Gold was discovered in Otago in 1861, and then on the West Coast, and helped make Dunedin New Zealand’s largest town.

 

Social change & War

In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women the vote. State pensions and state housing for workers were also offered first in New Zealand.

New Zealand troops fought overseas again in the Second World War in support of the UK. However, the fall of Singapore shook New Zealanders’ confidence that Britain could guarantee the country’s security.

 

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *