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The Dutch sailed around and found Australia but the didn't stay there.
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Captain James Cook sailed around Australia and claimed the land for England
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British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony.
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British prisoners settled in Australia
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New South Wales was officially a prison colony consisting mainly of convicts and guards.
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British transported prisoners to Australia until 1868. By this time, many free immigrants were settling there
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The Commonwealth of Australia was established.
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Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed.
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Federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines.
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All legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
