5 british colonization

British Colonization

The History of Australia

Australia the Colony

• The colony of Australia began with the establishment of Port Jackson, a settlement in New South Wales on January 26, 1788.

The History of Australia

Founding of Port Jackson

Prison Colonies

• 1787 – British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony at Port Jackson – convicts settled in 1788.

Convicts Take Over Australia

• The British experienced overcrowding in their prison system and sought to solve the problem by sentencing their prisoners to “transportation” -- Australia.

• Here they founded a system of labor in which people, whatever their crime, were employed according to their skills.

• From 1810, convicts were seen as a source of labor to

advance and develop the British colony.

• Convict labor was used to develop the public facilities of the colonies - roads, bridges, courthouses, and hospitals. Convicts also worked for free settlers and small land holders.

Port Arthur

• Port Arthur was named after Van Diemen's Land lieutenant governor George Arthur. The settlement started as a timber station in 1830, but it is best known for being a penal colony.

• From 1833, until the 1850s, it was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia. Rebellious personalities from other convict stations were also sent here.

• In addition, Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures of the British penal system.

The History of Australia

Port Arthur Prison

The History of Australia

Convict-built chapel at Port Arthur Prison

Port Arthur

• Some tales suggest that prisoners committed murder (an offence punishable by death) just to escape the desolation of life at the camp.

• The Island of the Dead was the destination for all who died inside the prison camps.

Island of the Dead

Aborigines vs. British

• British settlers brought disease and guns to Australia.

• The Aborigines had no immunity against European diseases.

• In the 19th & 20th centuries, conflict worsened.• Surviving Aborigines were forced onto

reservations in the interior.

Australia Grows Up!

• 1851- Gold was discovered in New South Wales and Victoria, attracting a large population.

• Australia’s population quadrupled!!

• Independence became an issue.