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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. -
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.
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In 1787, British ships, which were called, "First Fleet", left England with convicts to establish a prison colony. -
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.
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In 1861, government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today, and major coastal settlements became 7 independent colonies. -
In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was established, and Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed in 1927. -
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. -
In 1967, federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines. This was supposed to improve the living conditions of the Aborigines.
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This act made it to where all legal ties with the British Empire were severed. As of today, Australia is a parliamentary democracy.
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When the Australia Act occurred, 55% of voters rejected this idea of becoming an independent republic.
