Australia Flashcards
Main reasons for Britain establishing a penal colony in Australia
Due to American War for Independence convicts could no longer be taken there
Preventing other countries from occupying it
Prisons overcrowded in Britain
Trade, especially for flax, helps with foreign policy
What was different about life for convicts in Australia?
Had quite a luxurious life, allowed to bring families in and receive gifts/money.
Given large rooms
Some were allowed to just stay at house arrest
Who made up the original convicts and British settlers?
1420 originals - 775 convicts - 300 non convicts who were sent to guard them
Out of the convicts: 543 men, 189 women, 22 were the convicts children
2/3 of convicts were sentenced for minor threat, most women were sentenced for theft or prostitution
Others included marines with their families
How was Captain Phillips first journey?
Within six months the live stock that had been brought with the Fleet had either been eaten or disappeared, 775 convicts left only 732 made it
What was important about the Second Fleet?
1/4 of those transported died during voyage, another 150 died soon after landing
They brought vital supplies of livestock and crops
Phillips brought rice for the colony and sent messages right London telling them to bring more supplies
Regulations for transportation became more proscriptive to stop a high death rate
Why was Macquaries removal of the New South Wales Corps significant?
Corps were sent to garrison Isle of Guernsey.
Not punished by the government but their removal was deemed necessary for a smooth development of the colony.
Could proceed with governing peacefully knowing they were under his control
Why was Macquaries support for Emancipists necessary?
Believed they could be transformed into citizens and giving a second chance. Made convicts knuckle down with the promise of landownership and independence after serving their terms.
What was an Emancipist?
Convict who has served his/her terms or been given a pardon
Why was Macquaries limited consumption of alcohol action significant?
Began the process of limiting the sale despite not solving the colony’s addiction to rum.
Public houses were closed during religious services and their numbers reduced.
Traffic of spirits was reduced and alcohol consumption for labourers was cut down.
Achievements of Lachlan Macquarie
Set up new towns and market places including the first colony fair at Parramatta in 1813
New army barracks and General Hospital in 1810
Read it’s deserving ex-convicts into a better rank of society
Organised a school for Aboriginal children
Give details about the town of Hawkesbury
First land grants took place here between 1800 and 1809 due to it being on the river so was easier to transport goods/crops/people.
Exclusives thought they should get larger land grants than convicts.
The expansion of the white settlement here caused conflict with local Aboriginies.
Give details about the Van Diemans Land
Settlement began in 1803
By 1804 settlers moved into Aboriginal territory
In 1821 Merino sheep were introduced to the land
During the late 1820’s Aboriginies began to raid the settlers and the land, killing the sheep
In 1828 a proclamation of martial law was issued to force their relocation
What was the idea of Terra Nullis?
Captain Cook had been ordered to claim land as long as they had ‘consent of the natives’
Captain a Cook argued it was Nobody’s Land (Terra Nullis) as the aborigines were often moving and weren’t cultivating the land
What was the significance of the drawings the British hung up on trees for the Aboriginals?
The British notice the Aboriginals can draw so hang up pictures on trees showing that they can live together peacefully.
The idea was if you kill our men you’ll die, but if our men kill your people (unprovoked) they’ll also be killed.
