Colonial republicanism : re-examining the impact of civic republican ideology in pre-constitution New South Wales

This article contends that republican thought, especially civic republicanism, was a significant political force in mid-nineteenth century New South Wales (NSW), and that its impact was clearly present in the 1850 Legislative Council by-election. Republicanism, it will be argued, should be conceptualised as a broad church seeking to extend both political freedom and participation. While a minority of republicans, often called radicals or separatists, felt this could only be achieved though complete political severance from Britain, the vast majority saw no contradiction in retaining the British connection whilst fighting for perceived British rights and liberties. Both groups are adherents to the civic republican tradition.