The birth of British Australia 1788-1829 Flashcards
(113 cards)
Who was the first Governor of Australia?
Arthur Phillip
Why did the American War of Independence affected the role of Australia?
Because as a result Britain couldn’t send her prisoners felons there, and therefore they were rotting in hulks in the Thames
Why was Botany Bay chosen for settlement?
Joseph Banks had described the place as fertile to the Transport Committee in 1779 and James Matra mentioned flax could be grown there
What was the geopolitical reason for settling in Australia?
It meant the French could not, the British could claim all the territory for themselves
Why was Norfolk Island a factor in settling in Australia?
It had pine and flax which could be used for building ships
Why had crime increased by the 1780s?
Urbanisation and slum poverty drove many to crime
Why were there more prisoners let in the 1780s than there previously had been?
Laws such as the Waltham Black Act made many minor offenses liable to hanging, so many juries let people off and the King (in particular George III) gave pardons
How many people and, of them, convicts, went on the first voyage?
1,420 went of whom 775 were convicts
What proportion of First Fleet convicts were repeat offenders?
Half to two-thirds
Which military group came on the First Fleet and under who’s watch?
The marines, lead by Major Robert Ross
Why were the marines useless in early Australia?
They didn’t wish to take part in any non-military action, so seamen had to act as overseers and police
What did Phillip do while in power?
Build the colony in terms of housing and food supply, gave land grants to ex-convicts, respected the Aboriginals, and was tough but fair in discipline
How and when did Thomas Brisbane change the governance of Australia?
Less paternalistic style, with less government spending and more consolidation of power of the freeborn settlers
Why was Botany Bay inadequate for settlement?
Lack of fresh water supply and uncultivable land
What happened to the livestock of the First Fleet?
It was eaten or had disappeared by 6 months
What were the issues of Sydney to the First Fleet?
No ploughs and thin soil made cultivation of crops impossible and little ability to create bricks and mortar
Why were the convicts of the First Fleet useless at work?
They were mainly townies who were not used to working in teams and with farming tools
What did the government expect of the First Fleet?
To be self-sufficient in 4 years at a grand total of £70,000
What was set up by Phillip?
The Government Farm at Parramatta
How much land was under cultivation publicly and privately by the time Phillip left in 1792?
1,000 acres of public land and 516 of private land
What is an example of Phillips good thinking (spending)?
In 1788 he spent money buying supplies to tide the colony over till new supplies arrived
How did Phillip help the success of the venture before it had begun?
He spent an extra 6 months in meticulous planning of the supplies and ships he took with him
What did Phillip do in 1790 to extend the life of the colony?
He sent 183 convicts and others to Norfolk Island, which had a mutton bird which helped with rations
How many people starved to death under Phillip’s governance?
1, Joseph Owen