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History of Australia

  • Dutch arrive in Australia

    Dutch arrive in Australia
    In 1606, the Dutch sailed to Australia. However, when they landed, they were attacked by Aboriginal people and never came back to Australia,
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    History of Australia

    Significant events in Australia's history are mainly from 1606 to 1999.
  • Captain James Cook

    Captain James Cook
    In 1770, Captain James Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for Great Britain, disregarding the original inhabitants.
  • Prisioners come

    Prisioners come
    The first fleet of ships housing prisioners set sail from England in 1787. They were known as the "First Fleet" because they were the first set of ships to sail to Australia.
  • New South Wales

    New South Wales
    In 1788, British ships with prisioners arrived to New South Wales, Australia to establish a penal colony.
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    Penal Colony

    From 1788 to 1832, New South Wales was a penal colony. Until 1868, prisioners were transferred there for holding.
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    Port Arthur, Tasmania

    From 1833 to around 1853, the most dangerous British and Irish criminals were put in Tasmania, an island off the coast of Australia. It was one of the highest security prisions.
  • Aboriginal reservations

    Aboriginal reservations
    During the 1830s, Aborigines were forced into reservations. They were prevented from teaching their language and culture.
  • Colony boundries

    Colony boundries
    During this this, the British government created boundries for each colony in Australia. These boundries are still in effect today.
  • Commonwealth of Australia

    Commonwealth of Australia
    In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was established, giving Australia the right to have its own government.
  • Immigration Restriction Act

    Immigration Restriction Act
    To prevent immigrants, Australia established the Immigration Restriction Act in 1901, to prevent immigration except to Europeans.
  • Canberra completed

    Canberra completed
    Melbourne was the capital of Australia until 1927, when Canberra was created. Canberra became capital city of Australia as of 1927, and still is the capital today.
  • Aboriginal collaspe

    Aboriginal collaspe
    Many aboriginal people were killed and slaughtered around 1930. The population went from the thousands to the hundreds during this time.
  • Australia Act

    Australia Act
    In 1986, the Australia Act cut ties from Britain. However, Australia today is a parliamentary democracy, and they have Elizabeth II as queen. She however, does not play a big role in Australia.
  • Independent...? Or not...

    Independent...? Or not...
    In 1999, the idea of Australia becoming an independent republic was rejected by voters, 55% to 45%.