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First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) in 1606, but they didn’t settle there.The Dutch made one landing, were attacked by Aborigines, and then abandoned further exploration.
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In 1700s British explorer James Cook claimed Australia for Great Britian. He named it New South Wales.
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British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony.
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In 1788 British settlement started in Australia. Most settlers were Prisioners who had been sent to Australia to go to prision.
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1788 to 1832: New South Wales was officially a penal colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines, and the marines’ families
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In the 1830s, remnants of the Aborigines in the settled areas were moved onto Reserves.
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In 1851, colonist discovered gold and the British population soared.
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In 1861, government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today
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In 1868 British stoppped transporting prisioners. By this time many free imigrants had started coming to Australia.
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In, January 1, 1901 the Commonwealth of Australia was established.
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In1967 the federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines.
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In1986 was the Australia Act. All legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
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In 1999, 55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic.
