The Eureka Stockade was the most-celebrated rebellion in Australian history. It took place in Ballarat, State of Victoria, Australia, on December 3, 1854. It was the culmination of long-standing grievances on the part of the miners, or “diggers,” over exorbitant prospecting-license fees, brutal police procedures for collecting those fees, lack of the vote, and lack of representation in the Legislative Council. The murder of a digger named James Scobie in October 1854 and the acquittal of his alleged killers further inflamed the situation.

On November 11 the diggers formed the "Ballarat Reform League" to petition the new Lieutenant Governor Charles Hotham for a redress of their grievances. The arrival of troop reinforcements on November 28 led to further clashes. Troops and police surrounded the 150 diggers who were within the stockade. After refusing to come out, the diggers opened fire on the government forces. The ensuing battle, on December 3, 1854, lasted for 15 minutes and ended with the rout of the diggers.

Although there is some uncertainty concerning the death toll, it is generally believed that 22 diggers and 5 troopers were killed. None of the rebels accused of treason was convicted. The Eureka Stockade rising accelerated the enactment of reforms, which followed in 1855.

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