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First Europeans to sail to Australia
First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) -
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia -
British ships left England for Australia
British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony -
British prisoners settled in Australia
British prisoners settled in Australia -
New South Wales, a prison
New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families -
Government created boundaries
government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today -
the Commonwealth of Australia was established
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The national capital
Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed -
Federal government began 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
Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed -
Independant republic rejected
55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic.
