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The Dutch sailed to Australia but didn't settle there. They made one landing, and were then attacked by Aborigines.
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About 150 years after the Dutch attempted to sail into Australia, the British tried. Captain James Cook sailed and ignored the Aborigines living there. He named the area 'New South Wales' and claimed the land for England.
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British ships by that name left England with convicts to create a prison colony. Australia seemed to be a good choice because of no chance of escape, and very few indigenous people lived there. -
New South Wales was officially a penal colony ruled by the British. It consisted of mainly convicts, guards, and the guard's families.
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It was the destination for the worst of British and Irish convicts. Port Arthur was one of the strictest prisons of the British penal system. In tales, it is said that some prisoners committed murder to escape the desolation.
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Great Britain thought Australia would be a good place to base its Navy in the South Pacific Ocean. One reason the British did this is because of the trading opportunities with Asia and America. -
British transported prisoners to Australia until 1868. By then, lots of free immigrants had settled there. They built farms, trading posts, and businesses among other things. -
The Immigration Restriction Act only allowed people of primarily European descent to migrate to Australia. The act was dismantled after WWII. -
All legal ties with the British Empire were severed for good. -
55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming and independant republic.
