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First European exploration: by Dutch
The Dutch (Netherlands) were the first Europeans to sail Australia, but decided to abandon exploration when they were attacked by Aborigines. -
European exploration by British
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) -
the "First Fleet"
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. -
Officially a prision
1788-1832: New South Wales became an official prison. There were convicts, marines and their families (20% women). British transported prisoners until 1868. -
Port Arthur, Tasmania
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. -
boundaries for the colonies
government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today. -
Commonwealth of Australia
The commonwealth of Australia was established. Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed in 1927 -
Immigration Restriction Act of 1901
The immigration Restriction Act of 1901 restricted migration to people primarily of European Descent
(White Australia). This was dismantled after the Second World War. -
Australia’s first successful land claims by its indigenous people.
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. -
Australia Today
55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic. Today, Australia is a parliamentary democracy (constitutional monarchy)