Final answer:
The Aborigines were curious about Captain Phillip's friendly attempts but were cautious and at times hostile due to the disruption caused by European arrival. Gift-giving ceremonies demonstrated goodwill between empires, while Columbus captured Natives to showcase power or as potential guides. Early Australian policies excluded non-Europeans to maintain a 'White Australia.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aborigines’ response to Captain Phillip’s attempts to be friendly was not completely welcoming or cooperative. Their reactions ranged from curiosity and cautious interactions to indifference and at times hostility, as the arrival of the Europeans marked the beginning of significant disruption to their way of life. The history of these encounters shows that while there may have been moments of peaceful exchange, there were also instances of violence and misunderstanding.
The correct answer to the student’s question is thus a mix, but the closest single option provided would be curious, as many Aboriginal people would have been experiencing such encounters with Europeans for the first time, leading to a range of reactions, but always stemming from a place of curiosity about the newcomers.
Regarding the gift-giving ceremonies between empires, these were primarily a show of good will. Such exchanges were meant to foster friendly relations and often accompanied negotiations or the establishment of trade.
In the case of Columbus, despite initially describing Natives as “timid and full of fear,” he captured some to bring aboard his ships as part of his goal to claim lands for Spain and possibly as a means of demonstrating power or acquiring guides and translators.
In the early twentieth century, Australia’s immigration policies were aimed at maintaining a “White Australia,” primarily excluding non-Europeans through various legislative acts and immigration controls.