Week 2: Foundations Flashcards
When did the 1st fleet arive
1770 led by Captin Cook
When was the American War of Independence
1775-1783
Convicts had previously been sent there via the private sector
What is the overcrowding theory
In the 1780’s, Britain had an overcrowding problem in the Hulks, party as a result of the industrial revolution
When was the Botany Bay decision?
1767
When did the 1st fleet sail?
1787
Why was Botany Bay the destination for convicts?
- While overcrowding in British prisons motivated the British Government to found a colony, economic and strategic factors played a significant role in the decision to colonise New South Wales.
- New South Wales was close to trading partners (such as China) and strategic resources, and a climate suited to agriculture.
- Would establish a British presence in a region of growing importance to military interests and to trade. The fur trade, whaling and sealing were particularly important.
- Ideally, ships would carry convicts to Australia and return with valuable cargo.
- The supply of strategic goods such as flax, hemp and timber was also considered. Indeed, the ‘Heads of a Plan’ regarding the decision claimed, “considerable advantage will arise from the cultivation of the New Zealand hemp or flax plant …the supply of which would of great consequence to us as a naval power” and mentioned the procurement of timber for naval purposes. There were similar aspirations for these resources found at Norfolk Island.
- Sourcing such goods from the colony would reduce dependence on other European countries for supplying them, which was becoming increasingly important at the time (particularly due to Dutch imperialism).
When was the convict transportation era?
1788-1868
Who were the convicts?
The majority (6 to 1) convicts were men and most were convicted for non-violent crimes (3/4) or their first offence (1/2). Convicts were typically young, literate and skills.
What were the implications of the convicts for the labour force?
The lack of women and children meant there was very high participation rate. However, it was also in a command economy with significant government involvement and coercion, violence and restrictions on family life were likely have been detrimental to labour productivity.
What was the commissariat?
The commissariat was a key economic institution responsible for buying food, providing food and providing clothing to the convicts. It supplied officers, assisted settlers to set themselves up, distributed labour and acted as a de facto banker.
What was the currency of the colony?
Commissariat receipts functioned as the main currency, if you collected enough, they could be consolidated into a treasury bill and then paid in Sterling. This was particularly important for trade.
The value of rum as a currency is overstated.
What was the military officers monopoly?
Officers were granted land and then sold grain to the commissariat (which, prior to 1800, was always willing to buy) and were paid in bills tradeable for Sterling. The lack of distinction between public and private resources (officers controlled most of the currency, resulting in corruption) meant paymasters could use it how they wished.
The result was that officers were in the best position to buy imports and sell them at high prices. Essentially, it was funded by the British government (subsidy).
Why did the officer’s monopoly decline?
Other groups gained access to the Sterling with the rise of retailing. Free merchants set up merchant houses around 1800 and the development of trade was also important.
The British Government subsidies central to the early economy were reduced by Governor King.
Business was becoming more central to the economy with WHO becoming wealthy and Governor Bligh (who was quite hostile towards business) being overthrown in the Rum Rebellion.
