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The Dutch (Netherlands) were the first Europeans to sail Australia, but decided to abandon exploration when they were attacked by Aborigines. -
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia and named the area New South wales. He claimed the land for England. Sailors mapped the eastern Australia. James Cook made 3 voyages:
1: (1768-1771)
2: (1772-1775)
3: (1776-1779) -
Britain stopped sending prisoners to Georgia because of the American Revolution. They decided to send prisoners to Australia. Bristish ships called the "first Fleet" left England with convicts to establish a prision colony. -
1788-1832: New South Wales became an official prison. There were convicts, marines and their families (20% women). British transported prisoners until 1868. -
From 1833, until the 1850's It was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals. Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures of the British Penal System. -
government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today. -
The commonwealth of Australia was established. Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed in 1927 -
The immigration Restriction Act of 1901 restricted migration to people primarily of European Descent
(White Australia). This was dismantled after the Second World War. -
Federal Governments began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines.
In March, striking Aboriginal Farmers changed political history by extending a demand for equal wages to a declaration of their rights of ownership of traditional lands. This became one of Australia’s first successful land claims by its indigenous people. -
55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic. Today, Australia is a parliamentary democracy (constitutional monarchy)