The gold rushes of the 1850s had a profound impact on Australian expansionist ambitions, particularly in relation to New Guinea, as they galvanized both economic motivations and national identity. The influx of fortune seekers and laborers into Australia propelled rapid population growth and boosted the economy, leading to a surge in confidence among colonial settlers regarding their capacity to project power beyond the Australian continent. With the discovery of gold, the demand for resources, land, and strategic territories intensified, fostering an environment ripe for expansionist policies. Political leaders and colonists viewed New Guinea as a potential resource-rich extension of Australia, further fueled by fears of foreign powers, especially Germany and France, laying claims in the region. This anxiety prompted British authorities to contemplate formal annexation of New Guinea in the 1880s, which they perceived as crucial to securing their influence in the Pacific and safeguarding Australian interests. The gold rush effectively transformed Australia from a collection of British colonies into a burgeoning nation keen on asserting its presence and dominance in the region, thus intertwining the economic boom with a broader imperialist vision that sought to expand Australia’s territorial claims.
Critically discuss how gold rush gave rise to exponsionist drive in Australia in the context of claiming New Guinea? Please give the answer in detail according to the above question and in a paragraph.
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