Revision Questions – Historiography
NOTE: The questions below are based on the contact period, plus
immigration/settlement and women’s suffrage only.
Use the following page references to help you.
THEME A – MAORI & PAKEHA (blue Ofner)
TOPIC
'Fatal Impact' versus acculturation
Maori Conversion to Christianity
Contact and Musket Wars
Benefits or not of colonisation
Declaration of Independence/Busby
Maori in the post-war period
S+O (page refs)
21
126
25
93, 270-1
OFNER (page refs)
11-12 (blue book)
22 (blue)
8 (red book)
THEME C – SOCIETY AND ATTITUDES (red Ofner)
TOPIC
Reasons for Pakeha migration to NZ
Wakefield’s colonisation scheme
Nature of Pakeha communities
Women: migration, lifestyle and legal
status
Social Issues
S+O (page refs)
150
312
336
OFNER (page refs)
12-13 (red)
19 (red)
39,42,45 (red)
13,41,59-60 (red)
46 (red)
HISTORIOGRAPHY REVISION QUESTIONS
1. Which historian is associated with the ‘Fatal Impact’ contact theory?
2. Describe the phases that Maori society went through according to the ‘Fatal Impact’
theory.
3. What were the TWO possible fates of the Maori race according to the “Fatal Impact”
theory?
4. What term is used to describe a view of events that takes into account only the
Pakeha way of seeing them?
5. What is the other main theory with regard to the experiences of Maori upon contact
with Pakeha?
6. Give TWO historians who are associated with this alternative contact theory.
7. Explain this theory.
8. What is the “Eurocentric” explanation for Maori conversion to Christianity?
9. Which historian points out that some tribes adapted rapidly to the market economy,
with those in the Bay of Islands almost starving themselves to supply goods to
Pakeha ships?
10. Which historian is associated with describing race relations in the contact period as
a “workable accord”?
11. What TWO historians are associated with the Eurocentric explanation for Maori
conversion to Christianity?
12. What is the alternative explanation for Maori adopting Christianity, as given by
Judith Binney?
13. What evidence does Belich give to support the claim that the early Maori response
to Christianity was to adapt it to traditional religious beliefs?
14. What historian argues that the Musket Wars came to an end when a “balance-ofterror” was achieved (each tribe being well-armed so that none had an advantage)?
15. What explanation does the demographer Ian Pool give for the devastating effect of
European diseases upon Maori?
16. What evidence does Belich use to support his claim that while the effect of disease
was devastating, it was no worse than in other countries where epidemics had
spread?
17. Which historian points out the significance of the Declaration of Independence was
an acknowledgement by the Crown of New Zealand’s independence?
18. Which historian argued that because New Zealand offered few obvious benefits to
potential migrants “bait” had to be offered in the form of “powerful myths and
prophecies” regarding how well migrants could do in New Zealand if they migrated?
19. Which historian notes that the most common theme in advertisements in England
to attract migrants emphasised New Zealand’s “natural abundance”?
20. What does Olssen argue with regard to the reasons why women migrated to New
Zealand?
21. How does Charlotte MacDonald’s view differ from Olssen’s?
22. Explain what Belich means by “the ship beat the womb”.
23. What point did Eldred-Grigg make about the socio-economic make-up of
Canterbury in the later part of the century?
24. With regard to women and poverty, what distinction does Margaret Tennant point
out 19th century society made?
25. What double-standard does Margaret Tennant point out with regard to prostitution
or illegitimate childbirth?
26. Which historian pointed out that in the 1870s women became, upon marriage,
effectively third-class citizens, with their wealth and property coming under their
husband’s control?
27. Which 19th century politician and social commentator wrote that “New Zealand
women woke up one morning to find that they had the vote”?
28. How did the historian Patricia Grimshaw explain women’s enfranchisement?
29. What are the TWO main laws affecting women that were passed in the 19th century
that the historian Patricia Grimshaw identifies as causing changes that altered the
traditional role of women?
30. Which historian claims that one of the reasons that women were granted the vote
was because they were seen by some as “God’s police” who would clean up
politics and society?
31. Which historian claims that one of the reasons that women were granted the vote
was because of their “domestic” focus that would not threaten the status quo in
politics?
32. What, according to Sandra Coney, was the most important factor contributing to
women gaining the vote?
33. Olssen and Levesque identify what aspect of the changing nature of New Zealand
society that led the Liberal government to look favourably upon women’s suffrage?
ANSWERS - HISTORIOGRAPHY REVISION QUESTIONS
1. Which historian is associated with the ‘Fatal Impact’ contact theory? HARRISON
WRIGHT.
2. Describe the phases that Maori society went through according to the ‘Fatal Impact’
theory. INITIAL SHOCK AND QUESTIONING OF THEIR OWN CULTURE; A PERIOD
OF REASSERTION OF THEIR OWN CULTURE; CONFUSION, SOCIAL DISLOCATION,
CULTURAL BREAKDOWN.
3. What were the TWO possible fates of the Maori race according to the “Fatal Impact”
theory? EXTINCTION or ABSORPTION/ASSIMILATION.
4. What term is used to describe a view of events that takes into account only the
Pakeha way of seeing them?
EUROCENTRIC.
5. What is the other main theory with regard to the experiences of Maori upon contact
with Pakeha? ACCULTURATION.
6. Give TWO historians who are associated with this alternative contact theory.
BINNEY, BELICH.
7. Explain this theory. MAORI ‘PLUCKED SELECTIVELY’ AND ADAPTED EUROPEAN
WAYS INTO THEIR OWN CULTURE WITHOUT FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING IT – ie
ADAPTED EUROPEAN GOODS/IDEAS FOR MAORI PURPOSES.
8. What is the “Eurocentric” explanation for Maori conversion to Christianity? A
SERIES OF CRISES (DISEASE, WAR) LED MAORI TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR
OWN CULTURE/GODS AND TURN TO CHRISTIANITY, COMBINED WITH AN
INCREASE IN MISSIONARY EFFECTIVENESS.
9. Which historian points out that some tribes adapted rapidly to the market economy,
with those in the Bay of Islands almost starving themselves to supply goods to
Pakeha ships? D.R. SIMMONS.
10. Which historian is associated with describing race relations in the contact period as
a “workable accord”? CLAUDIA ORANGE.
11. What TWO historians are associated with the Eurocentric explanation for Maori
conversion to Christianity? JM OWENS; HARRISON WRIGHT.
12. What is the alternative explanation for Maori adopting Christianity, as given by
Judith Binney? MAORI CHOSE TO ACCEPT CHRISTIANITY, EVEN IF THE DECISION
CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF ‘WAR-WEARINESS’. ALSO, IN THE COMPETITION FOR
MANA MANY MAORI BECAME LITERATE AND TOOK ON THE MESSAGE OF THE
TEXTS THAT THEY WERE READING.
13. What evidence does Belich give to support the claim that the early Maori response
to Christianity was to adapt it to traditional religious beliefs? PAPHURIHIA IN THE
HOKIANGA; IN MAKETU (BAY OF PLENTY) A STATUE FEATURED MAORI FIGURES
OF JESUS AND THE MADONNA.
14. What historian argues that the Musket Wars came to an end when a “balance-ofterror” was achieved (each tribe being well-armed so that none had an advantage)?
JUDITH BINNEY.
15. What explanation does the demographer Ian Pool give for the devastating effect of
European diseases upon Maori? MAORI WERE “IMMUNOLOGICALLY VIRGIN”.
16. What evidence does Belich use to support his claim that while the effect of disease
was devastating, it was no worse than in other countries where epidemics had
spread? LESS SEVERE THAN THE 1/3 DECLINE IN POPULATION IN ENGLAND IN
THE MID-14TH CENTURY OR IRELAND IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY OR RUSSIA IN
THE MID-20TH CENTURY.
17. Which historian points out the significance of the Declaration of Independence was
an acknowledgement by the Crown of New Zealand’s independence? CLAUDIA
ORANGE.
18. Which historian argued that because New Zealand offered few obvious benefits to
potential migrants “bait” had to be offered in the form of “powerful myths and
prophecies” regarding how well migrants could do in New Zealand if they migrated?
JAMES BELICH.
19. Which historian notes that the most common theme in advertisements in England
to attract migrants emphasised New Zealand’s “natural abundance”? MILES
FAIRBURN.
20. What does Olssen argue with regard to the reasons why women migrated to New
Zealand? MORE MARRIAGE OPPORTUNITIES IN NZ WITH A SURPLUS OF MALES
HERE AND A SURPLUS OF FEMALES IN ENGLAND.
21. How does Charlotte MacDonald’s view differ from Olssen’s? SHE ARGUES THAT
WOMEN CAME TO ALSO BETTER THEMSELVES (WORK, SOCIAL MOBILITY).
22. Explain what Belich means by “the ship beat the womb”. UP UNTIL THE EARLY
1880s THE INCREASE IN NZ’s POPULATION WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO
IMMIGRATION; AFTER THIS TIME BIRTHS ACCOUNT FOR THE INCREASE (IN PART
BECAUSE IMMIGRATION DROPS OFF DRAMATICALLY DURING THE
DEPRESSION).
23. What point did Eldred-Grigg make about the socio-economic make-up of
Canterbury in the later part of the century? THAT A ‘COLONIAL GENTRY’ FORMED
AS WEALTHY LAND OWNERS ACQUIRED MORE AND MORE LAND.
24. With regard to women and poverty, what distinction does Margaret Tennant point
out 19th century society made? BETWEEN THE ‘DESERVING’ AND ‘UNDESERVING’
POOR; THE FORMER HAVING FALLEN ON HARDSHIP THROUGH NO FAULT OF
THEIR OWN (eg DEATH OF A HUSBAND) WHILE THE LATTER ARE TO BLAME FOR
THEIR STATE (DRUNKENNESS, LACK OF THRIFT, FAILING TO PLEASE A
HUSBAND WHO HAS DESERTED HER).
25. What double-standard does Margaret Tennant point out with regard to prostitution
or illegitimate childbirth? THE WOMAN WAS ALWAYS TO BLAME.
26. Which historian pointed out that in the 1870s women became, upon marriage,
effectively third-class citizens, with their wealth and property coming under their
husband’s control? JUDITH MALONE.
27. Which 19th century politician and social commentator wrote that “New Zealand
women woke up one morning to find that they had the vote”? WILLIAM PEMBER
REEVES.
28. How did the historian Patricia Grimshaw explain women’s enfranchisement? THAT
THE FRANCHISE MOVEMENT USED THE WCTU AS THE ORGANISATIONAL
SPRINGBOARD FOR THEIR MOVEMENT.
29. What are the TWO main laws affecting women that were passed in the 19th century
that the historian Patricia Grimshaw identifies as causing changes that altered the
traditional role of women? THE 1877 EDUCATION ACT THAT MADE PRIMARY
EDUCATION COMPULSORY AND THE 1884 MARRIED WOMEN'S PROPERTY ACT
WHICH PROTECTED WOMEN’S PROPERTY IN MARRIAGE.
30. Which historian claims that one of the reasons that women were granted the vote
was because they were seen by some as “God’s police” who would clean up
politics and society? PHILLIDA BUNKLE.
31. Which historian claims that one of the reasons that women were granted the vote
was because of their “domestic” focus that would not threaten the status quo in
politics? RAEWYN DALZIEL.
32. What, according to Sandra Coney, was the most important factor contributing to
women gaining the vote? THE SKILLS AND PERSEVERANCE OF THE
SUFFRAGISTS, ESPECIALLY KATE SHEPPARD AND OTHERS IN THE WCTU.
33. Olssen and Levesque identify what aspect of the changing nature of New Zealand
society that led the Liberal government to look favourably upon women’s suffrage?
THE VIEW THAT IT WAS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE FOR NZ TO PORTRAY AN
IMAGE OF A FRONTIER SOCIETY BESIEGED WITH DRUNK, TRANSIENT MEN AND
LARRIKINISM, THEREFORE A MORE SETTLED SOCIETY WAS NEEDED THAT
WOMEN VOTERS WOULD HELP ENSURE.