Paper 3 - Topic 2 The birth of British Australia, 1788–1829

Why did Britain decide to establish a penal colony in Australia in 1788?

Britain established a penal colony in Australia because:

• British prisons were overcrowded.

• Crime rates had risen due to urbanisation and population growth.

• Transportation to America ended after American independence in 1783.

• Australia offered a remote location for convicts.

• Britain wanted to secure strategic territory before France.

• Australia possessed resources such as flax and pine for shipbuilding.

Why did rivalry with France encourage British settlement in Australia?

Britain feared French expansion in the Pacific.

By establishing a settlement:

• Britain could claim sovereignty over the territory.

• French territorial ambitions could be blocked.

• British naval and commercial influence could expand in the Pacific.

What role did Captain James Cook play in the founding of British Australia?

In 1770, Cook:

• Claimed eastern Australia for Britain.

• Named it New South Wales.

• Reported that the land was fertile and apparently unoccupied.

• Failed to recognise Aboriginal ownership and occupation as he thought they weren’t using it.

His reports encouraged British colonisation.

What economic resources attracted Britain to Australia?

Australia appeared to offer:

• Pine trees for ship masts.

• Flax for naval rope production.

• Strategic naval bases in the Pacific.

• Future trading opportunities with Asia.

What was the First Fleet (1788)?

The First Fleet was the expedition that established British settlement in Australia.

It:

• Sailed from Britain in 1787.

• Arrived in Australia in January 1788.

• Founded the colony of New South Wales.

What are the key statistics of the First Fleet?

• Arrived: 18 January 1788

• Ships: 11

  • 6 convict ships

  • 3 supply ships

  • 2 naval escorts

• Journey: 15,000 miles

• Duration: 252 days

• Total people: over 1,400

• Deaths during voyage: 69

• The cost of fitting out the fleet was £84,000

Why did the First Fleet move from Botany Bay to Sydney Cove?

Botany Bay was unsuitable because:

• Poor soil.

• Limited fresh water.

• Difficult farming conditions.

Governor Phillip moved the settlement to Sydney Cove (Port Jackson), where conditions were more favourable.

Why was the colony's survival uncertain in its first years?

• No relief ships for nearly two years.

• Poor farming conditions.

• Livestock losses.

• Lack of farming expertise.

• Food shortages.

• Isolation from Britain.

How many convicts arrived with the First Fleet?

• 775 convicts embarked.

• 732 landed.

What was the gender imbalance among convicts?

• Men: 543

• Women: 189

This caused:

• Social instability.

• Prostitution.

• Sexual violence.

• Difficulties forming families.

What role did female convicts play in the colony?

Many:

• Worked as domestic servants.

• Formed relationships with settlers.

• Turned to prostitution due to economic necessity.

Why were Irish convicts considered dangerous by British authorities?

Because many:

• Were Catholics.

• Opposed British rule in Ireland.

• Were suspected political dissidents.

The Irish launched an attempted rebellion in 1804.

What were Governor Phillip's main priorities?

1. Building shelter.

2. Maintaining food supplies.

3. Establishing law and order.

4. Developing farming.

5. Creating a functioning society.

What problems did the colony face regarding food?

• Poor soil.

• No ploughs.

• Few experienced farmers.

• Livestock disappeared or were eaten.

• Relief ships were delayed.

How did settlers survive food shortages?

• Relied on imported supplies.

• Fished and hunted.

• Traded with Aboriginal peoples.

• Strictly rationed food.

What was the importance of the Second Fleet (1790)?

Although disastrous for convicts:

• Arrived June 1790.

• Brought food and livestock.

• Brought 222 female convicts.

• Improved long-term survival prospects.

Why was the Second Fleet known as the 'Death Fleet'?

Conditions were horrific:

• About 25% of convicts died during the voyage.

• Many others died after arrival.

• Causes included:

  • starvation

  • scurvy

  • disease

  • poor sanitation

Why was Phillip's decision to establish Rose Hill important (1791)?

Rose Hill (Parramatta):

• Had more fertile land.

• Improved farming prospects.

• Reduced dependence on government stores.

Who was James Ruse and why is he important?

James Ruse:

• Received the first land grant in Rose Hill in 1791.

• Granted 30 acres.

• Successfully grew wheat.

He demonstrated that farming in Australia could succeed.

How did Phillip's rationing policy help survival?

Phillip insisted:

• Everyone received equal rations.

• Marines and convicts were treated equally.

• Food stocks lasted until relief arrived.

This prevented riots and starvation.

Why did Phillip establish Norfolk Island?

To:

• Exploit flax and timber.

• Reduce pressure on food supplies in Sydney.

• Create an alternative settlement.

183 convicts were transferred there.

Why is Macquarie often called the 'Father of Australia'?

Lachlan Macquarie, Governor from 1809-21

Because he:

• Encouraged settlement expansion.

• Promoted economic development.

• Improved infrastructure.

• Supported emancipists.

• Helped transform Australia from a prison colony into a society.

What was the Rum Rebellion (1808)?

In 1808:

• Governor Bligh attempted to restrict the rum trade.

• The New South Wales Corps overthrew him.

• It was Australia's only military coup.

• Led to Macquarie removing the NSWC.

How did Macquarie deal with emancipists?

He:

• Promoted them into positions of responsibility.

• Gave land grants.

• Encouraged social mobility.

• Treated them as future citizens.

What were tickets of leave?

Documents allowing convicts:

• Greater freedom.

• Employment opportunities.

• Integration into society before sentence completion.

What were the Macquarie Towns?

A series of settlements around the Hawkesbury region. These improved administration and development.

What major infrastructure projects did Macquarie support?

He built:

• Roads

• Bridges

• Schools

• Churches

• Hospitals

• Public buildings

These gave Australia characteristics of a permanent colony.

How many Aboriginal people lived in Australia before British settlement?

• 300,000 to 1 million people

• Lived there for at least 50,000 years

Who were the Eora?

The Aboriginal people living around Sydney and Port Jackson when the First Fleet arrived.

Population approximately 2,500.

What caused conflict between settlers and Aboriginal peoples?

• Land seizure.

• Competition for resources.

• Theft and retaliation.

• Expansion of farming.

• Cultural misunderstandings.

What happened during the smallpox epidemic of 1789?

• An epidemic devastated Aboriginal communities.

• It may have killed around 50% of coastal Aboriginal populations.

• Debated to be caused by the British through biological warfare or accidental due to the First Fleet.

What evidence suggests some governors attempted peaceful relations?

Governor Phillip:

• Punished settlers who mistreated Aboriginal people.

• Captured and later befriended Bennelong.

• Took Bennelong to Britain.

Why did violence increase under Macquarie?

As settlement expanded:

• Aboriginal lands were seized.

• Frontier conflict increased.

• Violent expeditions were launched.

• At least 14 Aboriginal people were killed after attacks on Hawkesbury settlers.

Why was Van Diemen's Land settled in 1803?

• Strategic position.

• Access to whaling.

• Additional penal settlement.

• Increased British control.

How did sheep farming contribute to Aboriginal dispossession in Tasmania?

Merino sheep expansion:

• Destroyed hunting grounds.

• Reduced food supplies.

• Led to conflict.

• Accelerated Aboriginal displacement.

What action did Governor Arthur take in 1828?

He declared martial law and attempted forced relocation of Aboriginal people.

Why was whaling important to Australia's economy?

• Became the colony's biggest export industry.

• Generated income.

• Funded imports.

• Supported colonial growth.

Who was Robert Campbell (1815)?

A Scottish merchant who:

• Broke the East India Company's monopoly.

• In 1815, exported 260 tons of oil from the whaling of seals directly to Britain.

Who was John Macarthur?

A former NSW Corps officer who:

• Developed the wool industry.

• Introduced merino sheep.

• Owned around one-quarter of Australia's sheep by 1805.

Why was the wool industry important?

It became Australia's most valuable export.

• First Australian wool sold in London in 1821.

• Exports reached approximately £2 million by 1830.

Why was crossing the Blue Mountains important (1813)?

It opened vast grazing land for:

• Sheep farming.

• Settlement expansion.

• Economic growth.

• Macquarie commissioned a road across them in 1814, accelerating settlement.

Why was Western Australia established (1826)?

• Block French expansion.

• Develop trade with Asia (India and China).

• Expand British influence.

• Promoted by Captain James Stirling

Why is the Swan River Colony significant (1829)?

Founded in 1829, it was:

• Australia's first major free settlement.

• Not based primarily on convicts.

• Evidence that Australia was becoming more than a penal colony.

Why had Australia become less of a penal colony by 1829?

• Growing free population.

• Successful agriculture.

• Wool industry.

• Expanding settlements.

• Political institutions.

• Economic self-sufficiency.

What happened to the balance between convicts and free settlers by 1828?

For the first time:

• Free population: 20,000+

• Convict population: 15,000+

Free settlers outnumbered convicts.

What did the New South Wales Act (1823) achieve?

• Created a Legislative Council.

• Established a Supreme Court.

• Reduced governors' unrestricted power.

• Began constitutional development.

How had political control changed by 1829?

Governors no longer ruled alone.

Influence came from:

• London.

• Wealthy settlers.

• Legislative councils.

• Courts.