10.3 The first Europeans arrive

Question 1

Identify five reasons why the British Government decided to establish a convict colony in New South Whales. Rank your reasons into what you believe is their order of importance.

Answer 1

Resources from the new colony
Could no longer send convicts to America
Their prisons were full, and disease ridden
Cities were crowded from the IR
Maintain British power and control of the empire

Question 2

Describe the arrival of the first Europeans on Australian land.

Answer 2

First fleet- 11 ships- Botany Bay was not a good place to stay. Voyage took 8 months. Set up at Sydney Cove- Port Jackson. Jan 26, 1788

Question 3

Briefly outline how the ‘ticket of leave’ system operated.

Answer 3

Convicts who had good behaviour could get “pardoned” and given a ticket of leave. Then they could choose their employer.

Question 4

Summarise the percentage of convicts transported to Australia that were female, and what sort of offences they were mainly guilty of.

Answer 4

12 percent of convicts were women. None were sent here for prostitution. Mostly for stealing and vagrancy.

Question 5

Explain the contribution made by the convicts to the development of New South Whales.

Answer 5

Most of the hard work building roads, bridges, building and labouring on farms was done by convicts.