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European Exploration: Dutch
First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands),but they didn’t settle there
The Dutch made one landing, were attacked by Aborigines, and then abandoned further exploration -
European Exploration: British
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia.
Cook named the area "New South Wales."
Ignored the Aborigines living there & claimed the land for England.
Sailors also mapped the coast eastern Australia. -
British Ships
British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony -
Settling in
British prisoners settled in Australia -
Period: to
New South Whales
New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families. -
Independent colonies
Major coastal settlements became 7 independent colonies.
Government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today -
Transporting Prisoners
British transported prisoners to Australia until 1868.
By this time, many free immigrants were settling there. -
Global Countries
Immigration Restriction Act of 1901: restricted migration to people primarily of European descent This was dismantled after the Second World War.Today, Australia has a global, non-discriminatory policy and is home to people from more than 200 countries! -
Legislation's
Federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines
It was widely seen as affirmation of the Australian people’s wish to see its government take direct action to improve the living conditions of Aborigines. -
British Empire
Australia Act - all legal ties with the British Empire were severed
Today, Australia is a parliamentary democracy (constitutional monarchy) with Elizabeth II as queen
