The birth of British Australia 1788-1829 Flashcards
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
How did Phillip’s control of food stores aid the colony?
From April 1st 1790 the rations were equal for all, so no revolts over more marine food. Also the day was cut short as people couldn’t work hard on these meagre rations
How did Phillip relieve food issues in his policy of land grants and example?
He gave ex-convicts land grants so they could come off government stores, starting with 30 acres for James Ruse in 1791
What shows the lack of luck of the early colony?
2 ships which meant to bring food, Sirius and the Guardian, were shipwrecked
What proportion of the Second Fleet population died in transit?
A quarter
Which firm organized the Second Fleet and to what effect?
Camden, Calvert and King, who cut corners in terms of health which led to many deaths
When did the Second Fleet arrive?
Mid-1790
How did Phillip aid food issues once the Second Fleet arrived?
He sent the Atlantic to obtain rice in Calcutta once it arrived
Which group made up the most substancial group in Australia?
The Irish
Why were the Irish feared?
Overall fear of Catholics and the fact some were political dissidents
What did some frightened prisoners do in Sydney in the beginning of the colony?
They ‘bolted’ to walk to China, but died on the way
What was the time between 1792-1809 called?
The Rum Years, for the New South Wales Corps or Rum Corps had much power
How long was Lachlan Macquarie Governor for?
1809-1921
What occurred in 1812 to greatly improve the economic situation of the colony?
First sterling silver coins were landed, removing the early mess of currencies, IOUs, promissory notes and rum
What happened in 1815 and what was it’s effect on the colony?
End of Napoleonic Wars, economic depression, increase in crime, more prisoners, more ships available for transporting them
What percentage of prisoners arrived in Australia post-1815 and what was it’s effect?
75%, which meant that Macquarie had many men to play with in creating his public works programme
What occurred between 1794-95 and what was the effect?
Phillip had gone, Hunter had not arrived, so the Rum Corps took power which they held till 1809
What occurred in 1808 and what was it’s effect?
Rum Rebellion, which lead to Macquarie removing them in 1809
What occurred in the early 19th century which limited governors powers?
As contact between London and Australia grew faster, free settlers could undermine the governor by writing letters to the British Government i.e. Bligh failures
Who were the gentry?
Group whose wealth came from agricultural landownership, often ex-Rum Corps
Who were the emancipists?
Ex-convicts, usually at the bottom of the pile, aka government men
Who were the currency?
Children of emancipists, respected more than parents and often law-abiding
