The Extent and Nature of Colonial Control in Australia 1803-29: Flashcards
How many convicts were transported to Australia 1788 - 1868?
Around 168k.
Describe the population of New South Wales:
Steep increase in convicts from 1815 onwards. Most convicts (mostly men) would settle and stay and the native born population skyrocketed (1 in 4 were children) By 1828 free population outnumbered prison population. In 1807 it was 7000.
When was Van Diemens Land settled by the British?
1803
Why was Van Diemens Land chosen?
It was ideal for whaling which NSW depended on and it took weeks off travel time to England.
Who controlled VDL?
George Arthur
How was VDL run?
Totalitarian - divided into police districts under control of police magistrate. Control was established over settles by withholding convict Labour. There were no early pardons.
How did Arthur’s religious views affect VDL?
Having friendly relations with convicts e.g. sharing Christmas Dinner bad them blacklisted as well as offering convicts a drink.
What was the 2nd most important resource to the colony after the 1830s?
Wool.
When did Whaling begin in NSW? Significance?
1791 when the 3rd fleet arrived - it provided money for the colony to buy the goods they needed and rum. It was important for the following 70 years. Mostly done by emancipists.
Example of selling of seal products?
Robert Campbell sailed to England with 200 tons of seal oil. This established free trade between England and the colony. Trade was easy in VDL due to the development of smaller ships (open-bottom dories) and port Hobart was teeming with Seals.
What resource became more important in the later years? How many sheep?
Wool - great sheep stations established and trade boomed between 1820 and 1840. After 1805 agriculture was increasingly important and it grew enough grain to be self sufficient. Sheep numbers grew to 20000. The industry was drove by John Macarthur.
When was the crossing of the Blue mountains?
1813 - led by Blaxland
What was significant about the crossing of the Blue mountains?
Enough land for the colony for 30 years - a road was built across for easy transport. Discovered the Liverpool Plains. The land was fertile.
What was wool industry valued at by 1830?
Around £2 million.
What was the Australian Agricultural company and what did it do?
Established 1824 and given 1 million acres in NSW to farm sheep. Convicts and aboriginals used for work.
What was the first settlement in western Australia and how was it established?
- King George Sound / Albany –> swan river company created in 1828 and 10000 sent out with free land grants (40 acres for every £3).
-They arrived 1829. - 1500 settlers arrived.
What was the wider significance of expansion into western australia?
It represented a shift into thinking of Australia as a source of wealth and power rather than just a penal colony.
Why did Macquarie fall from power?
-The exclusives were unhappy with the promotion of emancipists.
-The cost of his public works programme was massive.
-There was more scrutiny from London as it developed into a colony from a prison.
What 3 things did Bigge recommend in his inquiry of Australia’s effectiveness as a penal colony?
-Convict labour should be used for sheep farms rather than public works.
-Early pardons should end.
-Positions of power should not be given to emancipists.
What was the outcome of Bigges inquiry?
Decreased power for the governor:
- Legislative council created comprised of exclusives (15 member from 1828).
- Justice system was independent of the governor.
- VDL was a separate colony with its own justice system and LC.
What was the significance of the Gov. giving further land grants to the AAC and the SRC in 1829?
It showed a transition to Britain’s traditional way of imperialism by handling colonies over to private companies.
