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European Exploration: Dutch
In 1606, the first Europeans sailed to Australia which were the Dutch, but they didn't settle there. The Dutch made one landing but were attacked by the Aborigines and didn't attempt again. -
European Exploration: British
In 1770, Captain James Cook sailed Australia and named the area New South Wales. Although the Aborigines already lived there, he ignored them and claimed the land for England. -
First Fleet
In 1787, British ships, which were called, "First Fleet", left England with convicts to establish a prison colony. -
Settling in Australia
In 1788, British prisoners settled in Australia, and in 1788, New South Wales was officially a penal, or prison, colony consisting of many criminals of all sorts. -
Commonwealth of Australia
In 1861, government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today, and major coastal settlements became 7 independent colonies. -
Establishing the Commonwealth of Australia
In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was established, and Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed in 1927. -
Immigration Restriction Act of 1901
Australia promoted a policy called "White Australia" and non-Caucasians weren't allowed to immigrate to Australia. The Immigration Act of 1901 restricted migration, and was dismantled after the second world war. -
Aborigines
In 1967, federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines. This was supposed to improve the living conditions of the Aborigines. -
Australia Act
This act made it to where all legal ties with the British Empire were severed. As of today, Australia is a parliamentary democracy. -
Australia today
When the Australia Act occurred, 55% of voters rejected this idea of becoming an independent republic.
