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The Dutch were the first Europeans to sail to Australia.
They didn't settle because they were attacked by the Aborigines and then abandoned any further exploration. -
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia and named the area New South Wales. He ignored the Aborigines living there and claimed the land for England. Sailors also mapped the coast eastern Australia Tasmania.
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A British ship called the "First Fleet" left England with convicts to establish a prison colony.
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British prisoners settle in Australia.
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New South Wales was officialy a prison from 1788-1832.
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The British transported prisoners to Australia until 1868.
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The Commonwealth of Australia was created in 1901.
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The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 restricted migration to people primarily to the European descent.
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Federal government began to pass leglislation to help the Aborigines.
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The Australia Act meant all legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
