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History of Australia

By Léane Foix
  • First Europeans to sail to Australia

    First Europeans to sail to Australia

    First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands)
  • Captain James Cook sailed around Australia

    Captain James Cook sailed around Australia

    Captain James Cook sailed around Australia
  • British ships left England for Australia

    British ships left England for Australia

    British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony
  • British prisoners settled in Australia

    British prisoners settled in Australia

    British prisoners settled in Australia
  • New South Wales, a prison

    New South Wales, a prison

    New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families
  • Government created boundaries

    Government created boundaries

    government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today
  • the Commonwealth of Australia was established

    the Commonwealth of Australia was established

  • The national capital

    The national capital

    Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed
  • Federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines

    Federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines

    It was widely seen as affirmation of the Australian people’s wish to see its government take direct action to improve the living conditions of Aborigines
  • Australia Act

    Australia Act

    Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed
  • Independant republic rejected

    Independant republic rejected

    55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic.