JOURNAL ARTICLE

Re-examining John Batman's 1835 'Treaty'.

  • Published In: Teaching History (0040-0602), 2026, v. 60, n. 1. P. 62 1 of 3

  • Database: Education Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Brown, Nikki 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on teaching strategies for re-examining John Batman’s 1835 "treaty" with Aboriginal peoples, particularly the Wurundjeri, as a case study in Australian colonisation and the concept of terra nullius. It outlines classroom activities that encourage students to critically analyse primary sources—Batman’s journal and a later painting of the event—using the Origin, Purpose, Value, and Limitations (OPVL) framework to explore differing worldviews, the exclusion of First Nations perspectives, and contestable historical interpretations. The lesson aims to deepen understanding of how early encounters were justified by settlers, challenge the legitimacy of Batman’s land claims, and highlight ongoing debates about sovereignty, dispossession, and truth-telling in Australian history. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Teaching History (0040-0602). 2026/03, Vol. 60, Issue 1, p62
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:00400602
  • Accession Number:193160507
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Teaching History (0040-0602) is the property of History Teachers Association of New South Wales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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