1. Prisoners as Colonists
In Australia

2. GPS #SS6H9
The student will explain the impact of European exploration and colonization had on Australia
a. Explain the reasons for British colonization of Australia; include the use of prisoners as colonists

3. The first Europeans to sail into Australia waters arrived in 1606.
During the next 164 years, ships from several nations reached the continent.
In 1770, English Captain James Cook claimed the Australian east coast for England when he landed at Botany Bay.
English sailors mapped the coast of Australia and Tasmania.

4. Prisoners as Colonists in Australia
The American Revolution resulted in independence of the American colonies from Great Britain.
The Georgia colony in North America had been used as a penal (prison) colony for Great Britain at one time.
After Great Britain lost colonies in North America, it began to look for other locations for prisoners.
Australia seemed like a good choice.

5. It had no colonies from other countries.
There seemed to be few indigenous people, and it was in a region where Great Britain did not have any other colonies.
From 1788 to 1823, the colony of New South Wales was officially a

6. Penal colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines, and the marines’ wives.
About 20% of the first convicts were women.
The British transported prisoners to Australia until 1868.
By then, many free immigrants had

7. settled in the region.
They were building trading posts, farms, and businesses.
Great Britain saw that Australia was a good location to base its navy in the South Pacific.
Its location would make it possible for British ships to make repairs and get supplies.

8. There were opportunities for trade between Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
In addition, the British government did not want the French to get a foothold on the continent.
The countries of Europe were jealous of each other.

9. The Europeans believed that if their countries had colonies, they would be better off.
Non-prisoner colonization continued.
Major coastal settlements became seven independent colonies.
By 1861, officials created the boundaries between the colonies that

10. are still used today.
The Commonwealth of Australia was established on January 1, 1901.
Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed in 1927.

11. Quiz Yourself
The prisoners used to colonize Australia in the late 1700s were primarily from which country?
a. China
b. France
c. Mexico
d. Great Britain

12. 2. Which war made the government of Great Britain look to Australia as a penal colony?
a. War of 1812
b. Seven Years’ War
c. French & Indian War
d. American War for Independence

13. 3. What part of the first prisoners sent to Australia were women?
b. 20%
c. 30%
d. 50%

14. 4. What was the original name Captain James Cook gave to the colony of Australia?
a. Melbourne
b. South England
c. New South Wales
d. Commonwealth of Australia