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First Europeans
First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) but they didn't settle -
Captain Cook
Captain John Cook sailed around Australia,he named the area New Soth Wales,ignored the Aborigines living there and claimed the land for England -
Prison Colony
British ships called the "First Fleet" left England with convicts to establish a prison colony -
Period: to
Penal Colony
New South Wales was officialy a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts,marines (guards),and the marines' families -
Prisoners
British prisoners settled in Australia -
Period: to
Convicts destination
It was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals,those who were secondary offenders,having re-offened after their arrival in Australia -
Colonies
Government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today -
Transported
British stopped transporting prisoners to Australia -
Commonwealth
The commonwealth of Australia was established -
Canberra
Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed
