How to Save History: Australia, 1874

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Dear Readers,

  I recently connected with a colleague, Dr. Wendell Howe, who works in a time-normal discipline similar to Anachronism.  In his time stream, the contemporaries have discovered time travel and have begun to use it in what they call "Temporal Anthropology."  It's an exciting field, especially because Dr. Howe can travel backward in time with ease.  This is an ability I envy.

  Now, Dr. Howe's institution is quite concerned that they will change the past somehow.  Since my data indicates all possibilities play out and the past cannot be changed, rather only your experience of it, I find this rather pointless, but I am willing to entertain the possibility that I am wrong on this matter.  Perhaps it is important to avoid changing the past.  Therefore, I have decided to offer my help to Dr. Howe in his efforts to preserve the past that he knows during his journeys there.

   Currently, Dr. Howe's travels take him from 27th century England to 19th century Australia, a country which at the time straddled the gap between wilderness and modernity.  Almost a hundred years separated from its inception as a prison colony, Australia of 1874 struggled to gain an agricultural and political niche within the vast British Empire.  This led to the introduction of dozens of species and numerous attempts to transform the country into a larger, more economically powerful version of the British Isles.  For the most part, these attempts ended in ecological disaster, though Australia would still rise to the forefront among nations.

  In light of Wendell's visit at a critical time for Australia, I provide below a bulleted list of ways he can avoid affecting the flow of time during his visit, along with the consequences, based on "aberrant" possibilities my Department is aware of.

• The Six Colonies: Dr. Howe visits at a time before Australia has federated.  In your time stream, Australia began as six separate colonies.  Between 1850 and 1890, these six colonies gradually set up governments that could operate without the need for Imperial involvement.  This establishment of "responsible government" led to the creation of the Australian Constitution in 1901 (give or take depending on the time stream).  It is therefore critical that Wendell do nothing to interfere with local government during his stay.  Perceived weakness in local government could delay Australian independence.  If Australia is not independent by 1942, its role as a major US and British rallying point for the War in the Pacific could be jeopardized and Japan could be better able to secure its hold over the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.  In this scenario, the war could be prolonged until 1955 and countless nuclear weapons could be detonated.  So, Dr. Howe, make a strong effort to obey local laws.
• The Gold Rushes: Australia's population has expanded at a record pace just before Wendell's arrival.  This is an age of great change for the Australians, when the future of Australian demographics will be put into place.  Though it may be difficult, if Wendell wishes to preserve the past he must not plant the seeds of any progressive ideas into the minds of the people he interacts with in the past.  It could change the demographics of the later Australia that he knows, though I am reluctant to suggest this because I believe certain mistakes were made with the "White Australia" policy.
• Aboriginal Peoples: Between 1850 and 1900, approximately 450,000 indigenous Australians died to violence and disease from the immigrant colonists.  It was a terrible event and it essentially led to a collapse in their culture.  While this sadness should be avoided, I must warn Wendell that he will have the opportunity to save many indigenous lives while he is there by virtue of his century's advanced medical knowledge.  I will not say he should avoid doing so.  I will say only that if he does not help these people, it will preserve the past.  However, I hope he breaks the rules.
• Australian Federation: Wendell is visiting the Australian colony of Victoria, specifically the city of Melbourne.  As more and more native Australians are born, the demographics of this colony will change.  It is vital that Wendell not interfere with any young aspiring politicians during his visit, as Victorian politicians will play a vital role in the federation of Australia.  I specifically call attention to Victoria's 1874 Treasurer, James Service.  Wendell will likely meet James Service as Melbourne is Australia's financial center during the time of his visit.  I recommend that during their chance encounter, Wendell should make sure that no errant wagons run over the good treasurer.  Mr. Service is due to become Premier of Victoria and play a vital role in Federation.

Always,

  Dr. John Skylar
  Chairman
  Department of Anachronism
  University of Constantinople