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Dutch Sails to Australia
They arrived in 1606, but didn't settle there. They were attacked by the Aborigines (natives) and were forced to flee, and stop further exploration. -
British Arrive in Australia
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia, soon naming it New South Wales. He ignored the Aborigines who were living there, claimed the land for himself, and mapped the land. -
First Fleet established a prison colony
British ships, known as the First Fleet, took convicts and prisoners to establish a prison colony. They settled in Australia, as a prison. -
British citizens settled in Australia
Britain stopped transporting convicts, and began setting up businesses, trading posts, farms, etc.. -
Commonwealth of Australia Established
Melbourne was the national capital, until Canberra was completely finished in the year 1927. -
Immigration Restriction Act Signed
The Immigration Restriction Act does, what it sounds like, it did not allow immigrants to enter or leave. This Act was dismantled after WWII. This was known as, "White Australia". -
Queen Elizabeth Became Monarch of Australia
The Queen swore an oath to govern the people of Australia, and Britain. -
Federal Government Started 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. -
Australia Act Signed
With this, all legal ties with the British Empire was severed, leaving Australia under no one's rule but their own. -
Citizens vote to be an independent republic
After the votes were counted, it was announced that 55% of voters didn't want to be an independent republic.