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This was partly the case. Firstly, there were almost as many marines, sailors and officers as there were convicts on the First Fleet. Secondly, Australia is not an island.
Australia was primarily settled as a convict colony, as conditions in England in the 18th century were tough: the industrial revolution had made it harder for people to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. Unemployment rose, and consequently, so did crime, especially the theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing. The authorities elected to clamp down heavily on people for minor penalties, hoping to stem the tide of rising crime. The British prison system was soon full to overflowing, and a new place had to be found to ship the prison inmates. The American colonies were no longer viable, following the American war of Independence. England had resorted to using old ships - hulks - to place the convicts at night, but they were extremely unhealthy and overcrowded. Also, the West Indies and Africa were unsuitable due to disease and climate, and India already crowded.
Following Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific in 1770, the previously uncharted continent of New Holland proved to be suitable. Cook had claimed the eastern half of the continent for England, naming it "New South Wales", and determined that a small bay in the south which he named "botany Bay" would present the ideal conditions for a penal colony.
However, there were other equally important reasons for colonising Australia.
A colony which established Britain's claim on Australia would also help expand the British Empire and provide a physical presence in the south Pacific. This held both strategic and economic/trade advantages for England. Also, the presence of a colony would enable England to lay claim to Australia during a time when France was rapidly expanding its empire as well.
The Australian continent also had Natural Resources and raw materials which England wanted.
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Why did the British people move to Australia?
Britain originally used Australia as a penal colony, aka a giant prison, and sent many criminals there. No British people actually moved there at the beginning for a better life or anything. Even though some actually moved out there to visit family members in that prison.
What did Australia start out as that no other country did?
Australia started out as a British penal colony in 1788 at Port Jackson, which is now part of Sydney. A prison
Who settled Australia as a prison colony?
Australia was originally settled as a penal (prison) colony by Great Britain in 1788. The first Governor who established the colony at Sydney was Arthur Phillip. Great Britain in 1788.
How many British prison ships were there?
109
Who was the first British group to move to Australia?
The first British colonists to settle parts of Australia in large numbers were convicts, the result of an overflowing prison system in England. They were accompanied by marines and officers, as well as some marines' wives.
Why did the British people move to Australia?
Britain originally used Australia as a penal colony, aka a giant prison, and sent many criminals there. No British people actually moved there at the beginning for a better life or anything. Even though some actually moved out there to visit family members in that prison.
How did Australia colonial history shape its society?
The British settled Australia as a prison colony. Today, about 92 percent of Australia's people are of British or other European ancestry. The official language is English.
What is Cockatoo Island most known for?
Cockatoo Island is close to Sydney, Australia. It is the site of a former prison, and there was once an active shipyard on the island too. These days, the island is a popular tourist destination for those lucky enough to visit Australia.
What did Australia start out as that no other country did?
Australia started out as a British penal colony in 1788 at Port Jackson, which is now part of Sydney. A prison
What did England use Australia for?
When the English first colonised Australia, they used it as a place to send their excess prisoners: in other words, Australia was originally established as a penal colony for British convicts. When the North American colonies refused to accept any more prisoners, the great continent in the southern hemisphere had considerable appeal as a prison from which convicts were unlikely to return. There were also many resources in Australia which the British hoped to utilise, as well as the continent being in a prime strategic position for defensive purposes in the South Pacific.
What was good about Australia being discovered?
Originally, it gave the British somewhere to deport Irish rebels and their families without killing them or risking an escape from a long prison sentence. Now, it has developed into a lead sporting nation in the world and a centre for tourism..
What happened to male convicts in New South Wales Australia?
The country of Australia was originally settled as a prison colony of Britain. One of the largest prisons was in New South Wales. Male convicts there would be put to work during their time in prison.
Can you emigrate to Australia if you have been in prison?
can you go to Australia if you have been to prison
Is there a difference between robben island and robben island prison?
...the prison is on the island.
Why are stereotypes damaging to Australian identity?
That they are all criminals because they were shipped there from Britain and originally Australia was used much like a giant prison.
When was Deer Island Prison created?
Deer Island Prison was created in 1896.
When did Deer Island Prison end?
Deer Island Prison ended in 1991.
