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First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands).
The Dutch only made one landing and then was attacked, then abandoned further exploration. -
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia and named the area New South wales. He had ingnorged the Aborignes 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 penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families. only 20% of the first convicts were women.
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remnants of the tribes in the settled areas were moved onto Reserves
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It was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia.
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government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today.
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British transported prisoners to Australia.Free imigrants were settling there and started building business, farms, trading post, etc.
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separation was an official government policy which lasted for many decades
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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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Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
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55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic.