Australia and the Larger World

Question 1

Why were Europeans not particularly interested in finding Australia?

Answer 1

• European geographers speculated about the “terra australis incognita” (unknown southern land) that balanced the northern land above the equator
• -but, their interest was trade,
• *and they never abandoned pursuit of profit for looking for unknown land

Question 2

Why were Europeans not particularly interested in Australia when it was first discovered?

Answer 2

-absence of tempting opportunities to trade

Dutch mariners found dry landscapes of W Australia
-un-encouraging arid and barren
-no mountains or hills (no precious metals)
-

Question 3

Describe the aboriginal inhabitants of Australia and their interaction with Europeans.

Answer 3

-distinct foraging and fishing societies
-nomadic foragers
-
-Europeans thought they were wretched savages
-and did not stay long enough to become familiar with them

Question 4

Describe how Captain Cook changed European settlements patterns in Australia.

Answer 4

• After Cook charted E Australia (Sydney) , he said it was suitable to settle and
• 1788 British sent 1,000 people to Sydney (most were convicts)
• Australia becomes a penal colony
• of sheep herders